HYDERABAD: Scrap yards in Bholakpur are keeping residents on edge, with fears of fires breaking out at any time. Hundreds of scrap warehouses operate amid residential areas, raising safety concerns.
On Sunday night, a fire broke out in the Bangladesh Market area of Padmashali Colony in Bholakpur. As many as 15 scrap shops were gutted. Thick smoke engulfed the locality, and flames spread to three nearby buildings. Nine families ran onto the streets to save their lives.
Children rescued as madrasa catches fire
Residents rescued 15 children from Bihar staying in a nearby madrasa after hearing their cries. The building was filled with smoke and flames, and food supplies and materials were reduced to ashes.
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Fire personnel used 10 fire engines and worked for nearly 10 hours to bring the blaze under control. Officials said a short circuit likely caused the fire. Revenue authorities estimated financial losses to nine families.
Officials visit site, victims recount losses
On Monday, Hyderabad district collector Priyanka Ala, Musheerabad MLA Muta Gopal and MP Anil Kumar Yadav visited the site and spoke to affected families.
Mohammed Ahmed Pasha, a daily wage worker living in a rented house in Padmashali Colony, had recently purchased items for his son's upcoming wedding. All belongings, including wedding materials, were destroyed as the fire spread to the rear portion of his house.
Scrap clusters and congestion worsen risks
Bholakpur has over 500 plastic scrap warehouses and more than 300 iron scrap units located close to homes. Around 10,000 daily wage workers live and work in the area.
Narrow lanes remain congested with scrap transport vehicles, making access difficult. With highly flammable materials such as plastic, wires and electronic waste, even minor incidents can escalate rapidly.
On January 8, a fire at a plastic warehouse near Anjuman Function Hall in Gulshan Nagar injured two children. Despite repeated incidents, authorities have not relocated the scrap units.
Encroachment of roads by scrap storage and parked vehicles delayed fire engines and ambulances during the latest incident. Rescue and firefighting operations faced challenges due to the cramped lanes.