The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Major fire averted

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Thursday, May 15, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Major fire averted

Fire breaks out in Jayanthi Apartments

Tenants allegedly had an active night life
Commuters first to spot smoke bellowing out

-Photo: Mohd. Yousuf

Dousing flames: Fire-fighters extinguish the fire in Jayanthi Apartment Complex on Wednesday.

HYDERABAD: The fire fighters arrived at the right time to avert a major tragedy. Within a few minutes, the fire that broke out in flat no.601 on Wednesday threatening to engulf other flats in Jayanthi Apartment Complex at Begumpet on Wednesday was brought under control. The three bedrooms, however, in the apartment were destroyed.

“We managed to keep the fire ‘local’ by extinguishing it within 30 minutes. The switchboard and electrical fittings were charred. It could be a short circuit but any firm reason would only come after inquiry,” informed Secunderabad Fire Officer Surendar Anand. Residents of the complex, who were evacuated for safety, were shaken badly. “We could smell the smoke. When I opened the main door to check, I saw the floor engulfed in smoke. Power was shut down and it was dark. We came immediately,” recalled Piyush Gupta, living in flat no.602, just opposite to the flat which was on fire.

The apartment was rented out to three bachelors, P. Roshan, Rohan Pandey and Vivekanand Jha, by its owner Paresh Agarwal. “The bachelors had an active night life and were chain smokers. Their lifestyle was quite unruly and they should be held responsible for this fiasco,” complained another neighbour, Rajesh Gupta.

With heavy smoke emanating from the balcony, facing Varun Motors, it attracted a lot of attention from the onlookers. As the firemen were busily manoeuvring the huge snorkel fire engine truck to reach the sixth floor, the area swarmed with curious spectators and residents.

Fortunate escape

“There was no sound. We were alerted by the commotion outside. Commuters were first to spot smoke bellowing out of the apartment. It was fortunate that the fire did not spread to other apartments,” Gautam Nahata heaved a sigh of relief. He lives on the first floor of the building. The apartment owner was shell shocked. “We had recently renovated the flat. It would be tough for us to take up renovation again. The bedrooms are completely damaged,” said Mr. Agarwal. The tenants maintained that the cause of the fire was short circuit.

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