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Time of India
22-05-2025
- Time of India
Fires galore, but probe hit by shortage of fire forensic engineers
Hyderabad: While the state records roughly 7,000 fires every year, the fire department has no fire forensic engineer to conduct a thorough investigation and determine the precise cause of fire. In fact, there is only one forensic fire engineer (independent) serving both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Following the inferno at a residential-commercial complex near Gulzar Houz which resulted in 17 fatalities, the fire department engaged two independent fire forensic engineers – D Mahipal Reddy from Hyderabad and Nilesh Ukunde from Nagpur – three days after the incident to zero in on the exact cause. The fire department's preliminary findings had indicated a short circuit in the AC compressor as the source of the fire. The independent forensic engineers' investigation revealed that the fire began due to an electrical short circuit in the inverter circuit in Krishna Pearls. They found that normal power was off at the time of the fire, but the secondary power supply was still present in the circuit through the inverter. "Their is a limited pool of around100 fire forensic engineers in the country. Despite many engineering graduates from the National Fire Service College in Nagpur, only a few choose fire forensic engineering as their career as it requires a lot of patience and commitment. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Jacksonville: How Much Does It Cost To Install Windows In 2025? Storm Through Windows Learn More Undo Moreover, fire investigation poses unique challenges compared to criminal investigations," Mahipal Reddy told TOI. According to officials, in most cases, fire incidents are investigated and causes determined within a couple of days. However, for major fire accidents with fatalities, such as the Bazaar Ghat blaze in Nampally that took 10 lives and the Bhoiguda incident where 12 died, the fire department had sought assistance from the police Clues team. But the Gulzar Houz fire was particularly complex, requiring fire forensic engineers to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the accident, officials said. "Fire engineering expertise is essential for the department's operations. However, we have very few practising consultants in this field across the country, and they do not show inclination to join departmental service. These experts typically opt for private sector organisations, particularly petroleum companies. The department engages their services when specific requirements arise," said Y Nagi Reddy, director general, fire services.
New Indian Express
22-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Hyderabad fire that killed 17 likely caused by inverter short circuit, say investigators
HYDERABAD: The fire that killed 17 members of a family that owns a jewellery business in Gulzar Houz could have been prevented if basic electrical safety protocols had been followed, investigators believe. Experts who assessed the site on Wednesday pointed to an electrical short circuit in the inverter circuit of the Krishna Pearls shop as the probable cause of the blaze. Mahipal Reddy, Fire Engineer from Hyderabad and Nilesh Ukunde, Chief Investigator, Forensic Fire and Cyber Investigators, Nagpur, visited the premises to conduct a detailed inquiry. Their final report is expected to be submitted to the Fire department DG within two days. Preliminary findings suggest that although the regular power supply had been turned off, a routine practice, the inverter circuit remained active. The fire reportedly began in an LED display unit connected to this circuit, then spread rapidly through the shop. Fire department DG Y Nagi Reddy said that the fire originated in the Krishna Pearls outlet and engulfed the entire floor. An air conditioning unit in the same room is believed to have caught fire or malfunctioned, contributing to its rapid spread. Combustible materials such as plywood furnishings, chairs and other items added to the intensity of the blaze. At the time of the incident, 23 persons were present in the building—19 family members and four workers. The fire was first noticed at approximately 5 am by a worker, who alerted the rest of the occupants. While all family members were on the first floor, three workers attempted to extinguish the fire on the ground floor using buckets of water, as instructed by the family. This continued for about 40 minutes before the situation worsened.
