Major fire breaks out at Goshamahal Stadium parking lot

HYDERABAD: In a major fire, 100 two-wheelers, 20 four-wheelers and 33 autos parked in Goshamahal stadium’s parking lot were gutted on Wednesday morning. About 400 two-wheelers were also partially damaged in the fire. The parking lot, which is outside the compound wall of the stadium, contained over 1,000 vehicles that the Goshamahal police had seized.
While the cause of fire has not been determined, officials from Gowliguda fire station said that the blaze could have been started by a cigarette butt that had not been put out properly. Vehicles seized by the police in the city and those involved in any kind of accident litigation are housed at this parking lot, which is police property. Unclaimed items like furniture are also dumped at this parking lot.
The fire control room received the first call at 9.55am and six fire-fighting vehicles were dispatched to battle the blaze. Fire engines from Chandulal Baradari, Moghulpura, Musheerabad, Secunderabad, Langar Houz and Gowliguda were pressed into service to fight the flames , and the first vehicle reached the spot at 10.15am. Although the flame had been brought under control within an hour, it took about three hours to completely go out. Officials said that the extent of damage could have been worse had the fire gone unnoticed since most vehicles had fuel in their petrol tanks.
According to fire department officials, the caretaker at the parking lot noticed smoke emanating from a pile of furniture at around 9.30am. Soon, two scooters were on fire with their petrol tanks bursting into flames as the fire quickly spread to other vehicles. “Someone could have chucked a burning cigarette butt near the furniture. But we are also suspecting a fuel leak from the scooters. The fire was threatened to go out of control what with petrol tanks continuously going up in flames,” said K Sattaiah, an inspector with Shahinayat Gunj police.
Police said that loss can be estimated only after a thorough investigation. “For those vehicles which have owners, insurance will have to be claimed. Most owners have been intimated and survey is being done of all vehicles which are damaged,” said fire officers. About 100 two wheelers were completely damaged by the fire. About 500 vehicles are partially damaged, officials said. Shahinayat Gunj police have booked a fire accident case.