At least 11 labourers, all from Bihar, charred to death in fire at godown in Hyderabad

`My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief,` Prime Minister Modi expressed and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from PMNRF to the next of kin of the deceased.

Hyderabad: At least 11 labourers, all from Bihar, were charred to death in a fire at a scrap godown in Hyderabad on Wednesday (March 23, 2022) morning. Officials informed that an injured person has been rushed to a nearby hospital.

The deceased workers were sleeping in a room constructed above the godown at Hyderabad's Bhoiguda when the incident happened, fire and police officials said.

As per the latest reports, fire has been brought under control after eight fire tenders were rushed to the spot. The fire officials received a call at 3.55 am and the blaze was extinguished by around 7 am, they said.

Based on preliminary investigation, a fire official said the blaze started from the scrap godown and spread to the room above. The workers appeared to have tried to escape but soon fell unconscious after inhaling the thick smoke.

It was a heart-wrenching scene as bodies, charred beyond recognition, were found in a heap as they apparently collapsed upon inhaling the smoke, an official said.

DNA tests would be conducted to identify the deceased, a police official told PTI. The cause of the fire would be known after investigation, he added.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that he is "pained by the loss of lives".

"My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief," he said and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from PMNRF to the next of kin of the deceased.

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao has also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the deceased and has also directed Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar to coordinate with families to send back the mortal remains to their respective places.