A significant fire erupted at a labour camp located next to a construction site in Hyderabad's Jawahar Nagar area on Monday evening, resulting in the destruction of numerous temporary shelters. The incident occurred within the limits of the Chandanagar police station.
All Workers Safe, Property Destroyed
Fortunately, no casualties or injuries were reported from the blaze. This was because all the labourers, estimated to be more than 100 individuals hailing from Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, were present at the adjacent construction site when the fire started.
However, the fire caused substantial damage to the workers' living quarters and personal belongings. At least 15 out of approximately 50 makeshift huts were completely gutted. The flames consumed valuable possessions of the workers, including clothing, televisions, fans, and almirahs.
Timeline and Firefighting Response
According to fire department officials, the blaze began around 4:45 pm. It is believed to have started when the GI sheet roof of one of the huts caught fire. The flames spread rapidly through the camp due to the combustible materials used in the huts.
Upon receiving the alert, two fire tenders from the Patancheru and Kukatpally fire stations were dispatched to the location. The firefighters worked diligently and managed to bring the raging fire under control within one hour.
Cause of Fire Under Investigation
While the fire has been extinguished, the exact cause remains unknown. K Venkata Nagendra, the Station Fire Officer from Patancheru, confirmed that an investigation is ongoing to determine what sparked the incident. He reiterated the fortunate escape of all residents, stating, "We are still determining the cause of the fire."
The incident highlights the precarious living conditions often faced by migrant construction workers in urban areas and raises questions about fire safety standards in temporary labour accommodations.
