A second home now forever lost: Secunderabad Club members left devastated

Hyderabad: Abhishek Nath used to visit Secunderabad Club religiously every week. On Sunday, too, he had made plans to go to the club for lunch. "We were supposed to go to the Club to have lunch. I can't believe that the fire has engulfed the main building of club," says Abhishek (42), a member of the club since birth. For Abhishek and his family, the club has been home to four generations. "My grandfather was a member. That's how this club became a second home for me and my father. Now, for my children as well," he says.

The grim news of a fire engulfing the iconic Secunderabad Club has deeply saddened several members. They said that the club was a generational home to several families. Bustling with life and several sporting activities, it was a place for members of all age groups.

A huge fire broke out at the Secunderabad Club at 3 a.m on Sunday. Within moments the fire had spread throughout the club and the main building was completely burned down. Seven firefighters were at the spot and it took two hours to control the fire. As per reports, the fire caused no loss of life but property worth Rs. 20 crore was damaged.

"The club closed at 11 p.m on Saturday. The fire broke out in the main building at 3 a.m on Sunday. Due to the wooden floors, furniture, and staircase, it took two hours to douse the fire. The main building was gutted but the remaining portion of the club is safe. The cause of the fire is uncertain. The club is indefinitely closed for its members, as of now," said R. Raghuram Reddy, president of Secunderabad Club.

Abhishek explains that his 16-year old son Vendant has been in tears since he heard the news. "My son goes to the club almost every day. He visits the library – which is phenomenal – and plays sports. In fact, he plans his week around the times he can visit the club," he says.

Abhishek has visited several other clubs affiliated with the Secunderabad Club in different parts of the country (Mumbai, Bengaluru, Indore, etc.) but he says that this one is the best because of its wide range of amenities, its etiquette, and more.

Another Secunderabad Club member, Renuka, says she was devastated when she heard of the fire. "I went there in the morning to see it because I couldn't believe it. This place was a second home or rather a first home before the pandemic," she says. One could spend an entire day at the club and never be bored, she adds.

"Being a member of the club is a prestige. It tells someone about the kind of person the member is. To date, it is extremely difficult to get a membership in the club. To get permanent membership, there is a waiting time of 18-20 years," Renuka explains.

She has been a member since birth thanks to her father who has been a member for 51 years.

Murali Reddy, a member of the club since 1986, would go to the club daily to play tennis. "It has one of the best grounds for sports like badminton, tennis, and squash. Due to an accident, an iconic place has been lost. Even in the unlikely case that it is restored, there is a big loss of heritage," Murali says explaining that the club was home to several antique artifacts, paintings, and more.