Fire breaks out at a hotel in Secunderabad, kills eight; PM Modi announces ex-gratia

New Delhi: A fire broke out at a hotel in Telangana's Secunderabad on Monday (September 12, 2022) and killed at least eight people and injured several others. According to news agency ANI, the fire broke out at an electric scooter recharging unit on the ground floor of a building, which then spread to the first and second floors. The fire and smoke from the electric bike shop engulfed Hotel Ruby Pride situated above the showroom killing the victims.

"It appears there are 23 rooms on all four floors in the hotel. The smoke traversed through the staircase from the bottom up to the top floor and completely engulfed all floors," Hyderabad Police Commissioner CV Anand who visited the spot told reporters.

"Some people who were sleeping on the first and second floors came to the corridor through the thick smoke and died due to asphyxiation," he said.

About 24 people were said to be staying in the hotel at the time of the incident. Firefighters rushed to the spot and rescued seven guests, who were trapped in the multi-storeyed building. They were shifted to hospitals.

Telangana | Remaining people jumped from the building and were rescued by locals. They were rushed to the hospital, fire tenders on the spot: Hyderabad Commissioner CV Anand pic.twitter.com/uDrwDCSw8t — ANI (@ANI) September 13, 2022

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Telangana Minister KT Ramarao condoled the loss of lives and announced ex-gratia on behalf of the Centre and the state government, respectively.

"Saddened by the loss of lives due to a fire in Secunderabad, Telangana. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon. Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be paid to the next of kin of each deceased. Rs. 50,000 would be paid to the injured," Prime Minister Modi's Office said in a tweet.

Saddened by the loss of lives due to a fire in Secunderabad, Telangana. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon. Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be paid to the next of kin of each deceased. Rs. 50,000 would be paid to the injured: PM @narendramodi — PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 13, 2022

Telangana Minister for IT and Industries KT Rama Rao, expressing grief over the incident, in a statement said the state government will offer Rs three lakh as ex-gratia to the families of the deceased.