Latest news with #TelanganaStateDisasterResponseandFireServices
The Hindu
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Wooden electrical panel blamed for Gulzar Houz fire in Hyderabad that killed 17 persons
A short circuit in the electric panel board of the Ground+2 commercial-cum-residential property caused the deadly fire which killed 17 of a family, the Telangana State Disaster Response and Fire Services has said. Seventeen persons, including eight children aged between one and seven, were killed after a massive fire engulfed the Modi residence in Gulzar Houz, a stone's throw away from Charminar, at around 6 a.m. on Sunday. The family was a household name, known for their strong foothold in the pearls and jewellery business in Hyderabad. A day after the mishap, the Gulzar Houz circle was heavily surrounded with police barricading the area to preserve the scene. 'We are waiting for the family to finish the last rites to conduct a panchnama. The place has to be preserved intact till then,' said an officer from the South Zone of Hyderabad. About 300 metres from the incident spot, vehicles were being stopped and asked to take a detour. A convoy of vehicles, including police patrol and disaster response force vehicles, were seen parked in the Gulzar Houz circle. On Monday morning, shops in the lanes leading to Charminar from Gulzar Houz circle remained shut to show support to the Modi family. The traders gathered at Mahadev Mandir in the locality to observe silence and offered prayers to those killed in the fire. However, for the stalls, shops and other establishments surrounding the minaret, business was as usual. Shedding light on the possible cause of fire, Director-General of Telangana State Disaster Response and Fire Services Department Y. Nagi Reddy said the panel of the electrical board was made of wood, which could have contributed when the short circuit occurred. 'The panel is located on the ground floor near the entrance. We corroborated this with the eyewitness and the watchman, who was sleeping on the ground floor the night before,' said the officer. While locals gathered in the area continued to stress that the trigger for the fire was voltage fluctuations due to the air conditioner's compressor unit, fire officials said that angle would also be looked into during the course of investigation. An array of political leaders have been making rounds at the incident spot, all stressing on the need for regular fire audits in shops and warehouses. Earlier in the day, BRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao also visited the incident spot to offer his condolences to the grieving family. He urged traders to get fire audits done in all the shops, residentials and warehouses in the area. What is a Fire Audit? Explaining the fire audit, Mr. Nagi Reddy said that it mandates that certain establishments, including high-rise buildings, hospitals, educational institutions, and industries, undergo regular fire safety measures. 'These audits are typically conducted by third-party fire safety auditors, and their reports are necessary for obtaining or renewing a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for occupancy,' said Mr. Reddy. A fire audit in Telangana is a systematic evaluation of a building's fire safety measures, ensuring compliance with the Telangana Fire Services Act, 1999, and the National Building Code of India, 2016. This audit assesses the presence and functionality of fire prevention systems, such as hydrants, sprinklers, alarms, and emergency exits, to ensure they meet the required safety standards.
The Hindu
15-05-2025
- The Hindu
Robotic fire-fighter can reach places where men cannot
As fire-fighting was in full swing at a building in Afzalgunj, a small French-made robot of high-strength aluminium was used to assist firemen. Designed to enhance safety and efficiency during fire mishaps, it is 3.7 foot tall, and can replace two fire-fighters and get close to places where the men cannot reach, said Director General of Telangana State Disaster Response and Fire Services Y. Nagi Reddy. These robotic fire-fighters can be remotely controlled, enabling fire crews to assess the situation and extinguish flames from a safe distance. The equipment can be operated within a 500-metre range, with real-time feedback, including controls and camera views, provided through its display screen. Built-in cooling system Mr. Nagi Reddy stated that the recently-procured robot is capable of withstanding temperatures up to 900°C, thanks to its built-in cooling system. By connecting it to a water source, the robot can be directed closer to the blaze, reaching areas that are too dangerous for humans. This effectively replaces the work of two fire personnel. It is particularly useful in tackling fires in warehouses and shops. 'Just a few days ago, there was an incident at Chandanagar, and I instructed the team to use the equipment wherever possible. We have three such units in operation, all of which are battery-powered that provide up to six hours of operation. Spare batteries are available. One unit has been allocated to each of the districts of Hyderabad, Rangareddy, and Medchal-Malkajgiri,' he added.
The Hindu
07-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Hyderabad traffic to be restricted in identified zones for mock air-raid drill from 4 p.m.; emergency services exempted
Traffic flow will be restricted with the exception of emergency services as Hyderabad will come to a temporary halt at certain junctions on Wednesday (May 7, 2025) evening (4 to 4.30 p.m.) for a large-scale civil defence mock drill simulating an air strike. 'Traffic movement will be restricted in the identified zones for a few minutes during the siren call, with ambulances and other emergency services getting a green channel. Emergency response vehicles will be deployed as part of the drill. Temporary power blackouts, air-raid sirens, and loudspeaker announcements will mimic real-time emergency conditions,' explained an officer from the Hyderabad traffic police. Code named 'Operation Abhyaas', the exercise will be carried out between 4 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. at four strategic locations in Secunderabad Cantonment, Golconda Cantonment, Kanchan Bagh and Nacharam within the Outer Ring Road (ORR) limits. The simulation, to be jointly organised by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Telangana State Disaster Response and Fire Services, will involve coordinated participation from the State police, armed forces, fire department, health teams and civic agencies. The drill would be conducted against the backdrop of heightened security concerns following India's retaliatory strikes on May 7. In response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, where several Indian soldiers lost their lives, Indian armed forces carried out precision strikes under 'Operation Sindoor' targeting nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. While prior alerts have been issued, authorities have urged residents not to panic. Those in the affected zones are expected to follow directions from the drill teams and cooperate fully.
