Fact Check: Hyderabad cracker shop fire – no fatalities reported
Sultan Bazar Police Station SHO, Srinivas Chary, confirmed to NewsMeter that no fatalities were reported in the fire.
By Md Mahfooz Alam Published on 30 Oct 2024 8:35 AM GMT
Claim: The fire at Paras Fireworks shop in Hyderabad caused the death of thirty-five people.
Fact: The claim is false. Sultan Bazar Police Station SHO Srinivas Chary confirmed that no fatalities occurred in the fire.
On Sunday night, October 30, a fire erupted at Paras fireworks shop in Hanuman Tekdi, Bogulakunta, Abids, Hyderabad. The blaze caused considerable alarm and affected nearby establishments including a restaurant. Fire and emergency response teams promptly reached the scene to control the flames and prevent further spread.
In this context, a video of the shop engulfed in the fire is making the rounds on social media. The text accompanying the video claims that the blaze caused the death of thirty-five people.
An Instagram account shared the video and wrote, “May God grant peace to their soul. A fire broke out in the fireworks factory.” (Archive)
Fact Check
NewsMeter verified the claim and found it false. Sultan Bazar Police Station SHO Srinivas Chary confirmed to NewsMeter that no fatalities occurred in the fire. He stated, “One woman sustained a burn on her hand, and two others experienced breathing issues, but they are doing well and have been discharged from the hospital.”
NewsMeter had earlier reported the incident on October 28 in an article titled “Paras Fireworks store in Abids that caught fire lacked safety measures.” According to the report, the fire originated inside Paras Fireworks, a shop with a mezzanine floor covered by a tin shed. Fire officials said the flames spread quickly to the nearby Taza Hotel, causing panic and minor disruptions. Firefighters deployed five tenders and swiftly contained the blaze. The report made no mention of fatalities.
The Hindu reported on October 29 that the Sultan Bazaar police filed a case against Guruvindar Singh, 33, the owner of Paras Fireworks after a neighbouring restaurant lodged a complaint. Inspector Srinivas Chary confirmed that Singh lacked the required permits to operate in Boggulakunta. Hyderabad’s District Fire Officer (DFO), T. Venkanna, noted that Singh had received a 15-day temporary license to set up a stall in an open area approximately 100 meters from the incident site. The report also mentioned no fatalities but noted that two housekeeping staff from the nearby restaurant sustained minor burn injuries.
The Indian Express and Hindustan Times also covered the incident and did not mention any fatalities.
Hence, it is clear that the fire at Paras Fireworks shop in Hyderabad did not claim the lives of thirty-five people, as alleged in the viral posts.
