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At least 11 people have been reported dead after a fire broke out in a scrap shop in Telangana's Secunderabad early morning on Wednesday, 23 March.
The fire broke out at around 4 am on Wednesday morning, L Sharman, Hyderabad District Collector said, as per news agency ANI.
About 12 persons were suspected to be sleeping inside the godown when the inferno spread. Due to the massive fire, a wall collapsed, trapping those inside. Eleven bodies have been recovered so far.
One person was rescued alive, and has been transported to the hospital for treatment.
Around eight fire engines were reported to be engaged in extinguishing the fire.
- 01/03
Firefighters and police personnel try to douse a fire that broke out at the scrap godown.
(Photo: PTI)
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(Photo: PTI)
- 03/03
Locals and police personnel gather after a fire broke out in a scrap godown at Bhoiguda area.
(Photo: PTI)
According to Gandhi Nagar SHO Mohan Rao, a shock circuit could be the reason for the fire and an investigation is underway, reported ANI.
The deceased are migrant workers from Bihar.
PM Modi, CM Rao Announce Ex Gratia Compensation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed condolences on the loss of lives due to the fire.
"My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief," PM Modi said. A tweet from the Prime Minister's Office's Twitter handle further said that an ex gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh each from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) will be given to the next of kin of the deceased.
Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has also expressed shock over the fire and announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh each for those who died in the fire.
The CM has also directed Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar to make arrangements for the repatriation of the bodies of Bihar migrant workers killed in the accident.
Telangana Home Minister Mahmood Ali has expressed concern over the fire incident in the scrap godown. He added that at 3 pm on Wednesday, a meeting of fire and police officials, as well as authorities of other departments will be held over the incident, to ensure that it is not repeated.
India's President Ram Nath Kovind also expressed his condolences over the deaths.
(With inputs from ANI.)
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