Five, including two children, die in Nampally furniture shop fire; illegal use of cellars flagged

Hyderabad: Five people, including two young children, were killed in a fire that broke out in the cellar of a furniture showroom on Nampally Station Road on Saturday afternoon, with their bodies recovered after prolonged rescue operations on Sunday.

Bodies recovered after overnight operation

Rescue teams on Sunday morning recovered the bodies of Praneeth (11), Akhil (7), Bibi (55), Mohammed Imtiyaz (27) and Syed Habib (40) from the smoke-filled cellar.

The remains were shifted to Osmania General Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examination.

Fire at Bachas Furniture showroom

The fire occurred at Bachas Furniture, located in Sai Vishwas Chambers, a five-storey commercial building adjacent to the Hindi Prachar Sabha on Nampally Station Road.

According to officials, a large consignment of furniture imported from China had arrived on Friday night and was stored in two underground cellars of the building.

Watchman’s family living in cellar

The showroom employs around 22 workers.

Watchman Yadaiah and his wife Lakshmi, had been residing in the cellar along with their two children, Praneeth and Akhil. As Saturday was a holiday, the children stayed back while their parents stepped out for work, instructing them to remain inside the cellar.

Rescue attempt ends in tragedy

Around 1 pm on Saturday, a fire broke out simultaneously in both cellars, leading to thick smoke. While several workers managed to escape, Mohammed Imtiyaz, Syed Habib and Bibi rushed into the cellar to rescue the trapped children.

They failed to come out as smoke rapidly engulfed the basement.

Dense smoke hampers rescue efforts

Teams from fire services, police, HYDRAA, and personnel from nine departments launched a massive rescue operation.

However, zero visibility and toxic fumes severely hampered efforts, forcing operations to continue through the night. On Sunday, a JCB was used to drill an opening into the cellar to gain access.

Officials inspect site

Goshamahal MLA T Raja Singh and DCP Shilpavalli visited the spot and reviewed the rescue operations. Authorities said a detailed inquiry would be conducted to ascertain the cause of the fire and examine possible safety violations.

Illegal use of cellar for storage increased fire risk: Fire DG

The incident has once again highlighted serious concerns over illegal use of cellars, storage of combustible material and residential occupation of commercial premises, particularly in congested parts of the city.

The severity of the fire incident was aggravated due to the illegal storage of furniture in the cellar, in clear violation of safety norms, Fire Services Director General Vikram Singh Mann said on Sunday.

He revealed that apart from furniture, chemicals were also stored in the cellar, significantly increasing the risk. The shop had not obtained any mandatory clearances from the Fire Department.

Case against shop owner

Preliminary assessment suggests that the fire could have been triggered either by a short circuit or by a cigarette. The authorities have decided to register a criminal case against the shop owner, Satish, and initiate strict legal action, the Fire DG added.

Officials indicated that action would be initiated after a comprehensive inspection of the building and surrounding structures.

Complaint to TSHRC alleges official inaction, safety violations

A complaint was filed with the Telangana State Human Rights Commission (TSHRC) over the fire, with allegations of serious lapses by civic and fire authorities and widespread violations of fire safety norms in the city.

The petitioner said the blaze occurred in an unauthorised cellar operating without mandatory building and fire safety permissions, trapping six people, including two children. The incident, the complaint alleges, was a result of official negligence and the unchecked growth of illegal constructions in the area.

The TSHRC has registered the matter as a case of inaction by State government officials.

Similarities to Gulzar Houz fire which claimed 17 lives

Referring to past tragedies, the complaint cited a fire in an illegal cellar in Nampally on November 13, 2023, that killed nine people and the Gulzar House fire on May 17, 2025, which claimed 17 lives, highlighting systemic failures in enforcement, inspections and inter-departmental coordination.

2.6 homes face fire risk, says plea

The petitioner further pointed out that nearly 13 lakh residents across 2.6 lakh households in Hyderabad face high fire risk, with economically weaker sections most vulnerable.

The complaint has urged the Commission to direct the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation to probe illegal structures in Nampally, cancel licences issued in violation of norms, seize buildings without fire permits and ensure compensation for victims.