Rescue workers in Hyderabad found five bodies in the basement of a four-storey building that housed a furniture store which caught fire. The deceased were identified as Mohammed Imtiyaz (27), Syed Habeeb (28), Beban Bee (55), Akhil (11), and Praneet (7). Imtiyaz and Habeeb had entered the cellar to rescue others but also got trapped.
The families of the victims, who were living in the basement, had been waiting for news near the site. The Telangana government announced Rs 5 lakh ex gratia for each family following protests by the relatives of the deceased. Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy termed the incident as unfortunate due to alleged negligence by the store owner.
Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency, along with police and firefighting personnel, were engaged in the rescue operation. The fire, suspected to have been triggered by a short circuit or cigarette, severely damaged the building. A criminal case is to be filed against the shop owner for illegal use of the basement.
