HYDERABAD: A fire at the `Society Collection', an exhibition of arts and crafts being held on Necklace road, triggered a stampede on Saturday night. However, none was injured in the incident. Tension gripped the visitors inside the exhibition for a few minutes with police disconnecting power supply as a precaution and smoke engulfed the stalls inside.

A fire brigade deployed at the exhibition as part of fire-safety measures averted big loss and brought the flames under control within minutes. Police suspect that a half-burnt cigarette thrown onto the scrap and packing material kept just behind the stalls resulted in the fire.

`Negligence'

"Prima facie there is negligence on the part of the organisers because so much combustible scrap, waster paper and cotton material was dumped so close to the stalls," Task Force DCP Sudhir who visited the spot said. He ruled the possibility of a short circuit leading to the accident.

For the hundreds of visitors, including women and children, it was a frightening experience with suddenly smoke sneaking into the stalls.

None knew what was happening and disconnecting power supply added to the chaotic situation.

The police of Saifabad and Ramgopalpet rushed to the spot and evacuated the visitors safely. No property was damaged inside the exhibition.

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