Clothing shop in Secunderabad Palika Bazaar catches fire, none hurt

Hyderabad: On Friday, an outlet selling women’s clothing items in Secunderabad’s Palika Bazaar shopping complex caught fire.

Fortunately, a quick response from the Secunderabad Fire Department, who arrived at the scene in time with two fire tenders, including a multi-purpose machine, managed to put out the fire and prevent casualties.

Since the fire broke out early in the morning before the shop and the area reached maximum capacity with busy shoppers and commuters, there was no loss of life.

Nevertheless, the fire caused extensive damage, leaving behind charred remains and a grim reminder of the potential devastation that fires can cause.

The alarm was raised by passers-by at approximately 8:40 am who noticed plumes of smoke coming out from the emporium. Thick smoke swiftly enveloped the area. Promptly, they alerted the local fire and police authorities, initiating a swift response to the growing crisis.

The fire’s origin was traced to the packaging material, specifically gunny bags. These inflammable materials acted as an accelerant, turning a seemingly small fire into a roaring blaze. The firefighters managed to contain the fire within an hour. An ongoing investigation aims to pinpoint the exact cause of this disastrous incident.

This incident underscores the significant role that fire safety plays in commercial establishments. It is a call to action for both business owners and authorities to prioritise fire prevention measures and preparedness.

The shop, similar to many smaller commercial establishments in Hyderabad, doesn’t have comprehensive fire detection systems, well-maintained fire extinguishers, and sprinkler systems to curb the flames at their inception. Regular fire drills and employee training are equally critical to ensure everyone knows how to react in case of an emergency.

Furthermore, a thorough investigation into the fire’s cause should provide lessons for the future, whether it be a result of electrical issues, faulty wiring, or storage of inflammable materials. Authorities should enforce strict regulations to prevent such incidents from happening in the first place.

However, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of fire safety measures in commercial establishments