Bhoiguda inferno: 11 migrant workers from Bihar charred to death

Hyderabad: Eleven migrant workers from Bihar were charred to death when fire engulfed a scrap godown at Bhoiguda in Secunderabad on Wednesday morning.

Three more workers are still trapped inside the godown. A massive operation has been launched to evacuate the workers.

M Rajesh Chandra, DCP Central Zone, Hyderabad city police, said they have recovered eight bodies. They are charred beyond recognition. Search is on to rescue other workers.

While the godown is located on the ground floor, the workers reside on the first floor. There is only one entrance to their rooms.

The fire broke out at 4 am when the workers were asleep. As the godown was filled with scrap material, it spread quickly and engulfed the first floor.

Police said since there is no other entry or exit to the first floor, the workers were trapped in the fire and could have been burnt alive.

Fire tenders are trying to douse the flames. Police have started a probe to ascertain the cause of the fire. As the godown is located in the residential area, firefighters have controlled the flames from spreading to other buildings. As many as eight fire tenders are at the spot.

One of the workers identified as Prem escaped the flames. He is being treated at Gandhi hospital.

The Telangana government announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 5 lakh for each victim. CM KCR asked the officials to make arrangements to send the mortal remains of the victims to their native villages in Bihar.

Hyderabad Police Commissioner CV Anand said a similar incident happened in the same place two years back.

"We got a call from dial 100 regarding a cylinder blast. W, immediately we reached the place. Fire tenders were called and the flames were controlled by 5 am. Scrap material including newspapers and used bottles were stored on the first floor," he said.

He said it seems that the godown has violated the fire norms. "The workers stayed in a room inside the godown, which is against violation. Even the neighbors did not know that the workers reside inside the godown," he said.

Bhoiguda is one of the highly populated areas and it has many such godowns. Police Commissioner said industrial safety norms have to be taken into consideration.

"Workers coming from Chapra in Bihar are from low-income families. The workers are paid Rs 12,000 per month. Only one worker has survived. We are investigating the case. Once he regains consciousness, we need to talk to him about the accident," he said.