The devastating fire that erupted in Hyderabad's Shahalibanda area has claimed its second victim, with business owner Shiva Kumar Bansal succumbing to his injuries on Tuesday night. The 49-year-old proprietor of Gomathi Enterprises had suffered catastrophic 80% burn injuries during the Monday night blaze that destroyed his commercial establishment.
Tragic Loss and Rescue Operations
Bansal, who resided in the same two-storey building that housed both commercial and residential spaces, was among nine individuals injured in the catastrophic incident. The fire broke out around 10:15 pm on Monday, precisely as the shop was preparing to close for the day. Fire and police departments launched an extensive rescue operation that continued for more than four hours, battling the flames and evacuating trapped individuals.
The initial hours following the fire saw one person declared dead at the scene, while eight others, including Bansal, were rushed to medical facilities with varying degrees of injuries. Despite receiving treatment at the advanced Apollo DRDO Hospital, Bansal's extensive burns proved fatal, marking the second death in this tragic incident.
Other Victims and Medical Condition
Two employees of Gomathi Enterprises, identified as Ganesh Vijaykumar and Karthik Mahadevout of danger and responding well to treatment.
Three additional individuals who suffered minor injuries during the incident received immediate first aid and were subsequently discharged. The identity of the first deceased victim remains unknown more than 48 hours after the tragedy, prompting Moghalpira police to issue a lookout circular in hopes of locating family members.
Investigation and Financial Impact
Initial speculation suggested that a CNG vehicle colliding with the shop's closed shutter might have triggered the blaze. However, officials later revised their assessment, indicating that the fire most likely originated from an explosion in a refrigerator or air-conditioning compressor caused by pressure build-up. A comprehensive investigation is currently underway to determine the exact cause with certainty.
The financial toll from the incident has been substantial, with preliminary estimates indicating that electronic items worth at least 10 lakh rupees were completely destroyed in the intense fire. Moghalpura police have formally registered a case, and the investigation continues as authorities work to piece together the complete sequence of events that led to this devastating outcome.
