A large-scale fire broke out early Monday morning at the Dewan Devdhi commercial complex in the old city of Hyderabad, leaving nearly 40 shops gutted and causing extensive financial damage. The fire, which started on the fourth floor of the building, spread rapidly, engulfing a major portion of the structure.
The blaze erupted in a garment shop located on the second and third floors, and it quickly escalated, destroying valuable merchandise and goods. The affected area houses several fabric and clothing stores, and many business owners, particularly those who had recently replenished their stock in preparation for the Ramadan shopping season, expressed their devastation at the scale of the loss.
According to Hyderabad district fire officer Venkana, the incident occurred shortly after 1 a.m., with the fire brigade receiving the alarm at around 2 a.m. The fire brigade quickly mobilized 14 vehicles from various stations, including the Mughalpura fire station, to fight the raging flames. The narrow lanes around the building posed a significant challenge to the firefighters, who had to climb onto adjacent buildings to access water sources and ensure a steady supply to extinguish the fire.
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Despite the difficulties, the firefighting teams managed to control the blaze after several hours of intense effort. Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries or fatalities, as the fire was confined to the second and third floors, which were primarily occupied by garment shops. However, the financial implications of the incident are expected to run into several crores of rupees, with business owners left with substantial losses.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, although initial reports suggest that a short circuit could be the cause. The police have registered a case and are conducting further inquiries to determine the exact reason behind the fire.
In the aftermath of the incident, shopkeepers and business owners have expressed deep concern, particularly given the timing of the fire, just before the peak shopping season for Ramadan. Many had recently brought in new stock in anticipation of the upcoming surge in demand, and the fire has left them facing a significant setback.
The local police and fire brigade personnel are continuing their relief operations, assisting in securing the area and conducting preliminary damage assessments. A full investigation will follow to determine whether any preventive measures can be taken to avoid such incidents in the future.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of commercial complexes in densely populated areas like Dewan Devdhi, where narrow lanes and limited access can hinder emergency services during critical situations. Authorities are urged to review safety protocols to prevent such devastating fires from occurring in the future.
As the investigation continues, the city’s residents remain hopeful that authorities will take swift action to ensure the safety of such commercial spaces, especially considering the damage this fire has caused to local businesses and their livelihoods.
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