A fire in a G+2 commercial building at Madina Circle near Charminar and Pathar Gatti damaged seven shops on Monday morning, prompting a nearly eight-hour firefighting operation in one of Hyderabad’s busiest Old City commercial areas.
The blaze began on the first floor at around 9.40 am and spread quickly to adjoining shops, according to fire officials. Thick smoke rose from the building as traders, passers-by and other people in the area gathered near the site. The crowds also slowed traffic around Madina Circle, the Times of India reported.
Four fire tenders were sent to the location after the fire was reported. Firefighters worked for nearly seven to eight hours before bringing the flames under control. Shops storing textiles and clothes were among those affected, and most of the seven damaged establishments suffered heavy losses.
Rajkumar, station fire officer at the High Court fire station, described the blaze as being of “medium to serious intensity”. He said preliminary indications suggested that a short circuit in an electrical panel may have started the fire. The exact cause has not yet been established.
“The fire was of medium to serious intensity. Preliminary indications point to a short circuit in an electrical panel as the likely cause, though the exact reason is under investigation. A detailed probe will begin once the premises are declared safe,” Rajkumar said.
The incident temporarily disrupted activity in the commercial hub, where the fire and smoke drew crowds close to the affected building. The presence of textiles and clothing in some shops added to the damage suffered by traders, although the full extent of the losses is still being assessed.
Fire officials estimated the losses at several lakhs of rupees. A detailed assessment will be prepared after consultations with the shopkeepers, according to the station fire officer. The premises will have to be declared safe before the detailed investigation into the cause of the fire begins.
