Hyderabad: A major fire broke out in a commercial complex near the historic Charminar on Thursday, gutting three shops in the busy Pathergatti area. No casualties were reported as the blaze started before shops opened for the day.

The incident occurred in a garment store on the first floor of the SYJ Complex near Madina Crossroads and quickly spread to adjacent shops, causing panic in the area.

Eight Fire Engines Deployed, Blaze Brought Under Control

Eight fire engines were rushed to the spot, with personnel from five fire stations working together to control the flames. Firefighters battled the blaze for nearly two hours before bringing it under control.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Charminar Zone) Kiran Khare and senior officials supervised the operation, ensuring the fire did not spread further into nearby commercial establishments, including shops, banks and diagnostic centres.

Three Shops Gutted, Investigation Underway

Authorities confirmed that three shops were completely gutted in the fire. Police said the cause of the fire is yet to be determined and an investigation is underway.

Officials also noted that the fire could have been much worse given the densely packed nature of the commercial area, but timely response helped prevent a major tragedy.

History of Fire Incidents Raises Concerns

The incident comes nearly a year after a devastating fire in the same area claimed 17 lives in a pearl traders’ building, raising renewed concerns about fire safety in Hyderabad’s old city commercial zones.

Meanwhile, separate fire incidents were also reported in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district and Andhra Pradesh’s Guntur on the same day, both causing property damage but no major casualties.