Secunderabad Club fire: Immovable property worth Rs 25 crore lost

Hyderabad: Immovable property worth Rs 25 crore has been lost in the devastating fire that engulfed the iconic Secunderabad Club on Sunday morning.

"An estimated 50,000 Sq. feet of the property have been damaged. The damage is both to the immovable property namely the structures as well as the movables inside which have been turned to ashes. The fittings and fixtures and invaluable trophies which were mounted in the Colonnade have been completely burnt out. The damage to the immovable property on a rough estimate runs to the tune of Rs 25 crore. The damage to the movable property is incalculable for the present," said R Raghuram Reddy, president, Secunderabad Club.

A huge fire broke out at the Secunderabad Club at 3 am on Sunday. Within minutes, the main building was reduced to ashes. Seven firefighters were at the spot and it took two hours to control the fire. Fire Control Room received a call at 3:15 am and immediately fire tenders rushed to the spot.Immediately water bowsers from Secunderabad Fire station were called for assistance. The flames spread swiftly given the fact that it was the wooden structure. So a multi-purpose tender from the fire station in Cantonment was rushed to the spot.

As the fire was spreading in all directions of the building, water-cum-foam tender from the fire station, snorkel, water tender from the fire station in Moula Ali, water bowser from Secretariat, and multi-purpose tender from Secretariat were also pressed into the service to douse the flames.

The internal staircase of the building, made of wood was completely destroyed in fire hence the fire fighting operations were conducted using the external staircase. However, it didn't have access to the first and second floors of the building. So, with great difficulty, the firefighters doused the fire from the windows of the first and second floors.

After three hours, the fire was brought under control. The fire was completely extinguished by 8:40 am and all the fire vehicles were withdrawn from the ground.

As per the statement issued by the club, the areas which have suffered damage are Colonnade Bar, Billiards Room, Ball Room upstairs, Main Reception and staircase leading to first floor. However, the Main Club shall remain closed till further notice.

The club informed that all staff and members are safe. Fortunately, all data and documents which are digitized are also safe.