Hyderabad: A fire broke out in a row of commercial establishments in Farooqnagar under Falaknuma police station limits in Hyderabad on Monday.Falaknuma inspector E Jangaiah said the affected premises comprised four shops, operating under seven shutters, all dealing with furniture and mattresses. A makeshift bike mechanic’s stall had also been set up on the adjoining footpath, where a motorcycle parked for repairs was gutted in the fire. The incident triggered panic among locals, and prompted a swift response from the fire and police personnel. Fortunately, none of the shop owners or workers were present when the fire broke out, which helped avert casualties.According to police, the blaze originated in a shop near Farooqnagar bus stand. The fire, suspected to have been caused by a short circuit, quickly spread to adjacent establishments. Within minutes, the flames engulfed stores located in the vicinity.Upon receiving information, two fire tenders from Chandrayangutta fire station rushed to the spot and began firefighting operations. Firefighters battled the flames for about an hour before bringing the blaze under control, preventing it from spreading further.The situation initially caused concern among authorities as a gas storage facility is located nearby. Police and fire personnel remained on high alert to ensure the flames did not reach the gas depot, which could have triggered a serious emergency.While no injuries or fatalities were reported, the fire caused extensive damage to the shops and the goods stored inside, particularly furniture and mattress stock. Officials said the exact extent of property loss is yet to be assessed.Police have launched a preliminary inquiry into the incident, and further investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the fire.
