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Six persons including four women died of asphyxiation in a ghastly fire in a multi-storey commercial complex in Secunderabad on Thursday, 16^th March. The six were found in an unconscious condition by firemen in a room on the fifth floor of the 'Swapnalok Complex' building and were rushed to a state-run hospital, sources said. All six were brought dead to the hospital, a doctor clarified. The fire erupted in one of the offices on one side of the building's block where no one was present. However, those working in the office opposite to it died as they were unable to escape.

Fire Services Director General Y Nagi Reddy, who inspected the spot came down hard on the gross negligence of basic fire safety norms in the building. The exigency protocols were thrown to the winds. “Fire safety systems were put in place in the building but none of them were in working condition,” he pointed out. Firefighters said the external staircase in the building, that houses several private offices, garments and electronic shops, was blocked with unused articles dumped there.

Majority of the damage has been reported on the fifth floor of the building while few offices located on the seventh floor were also damaged, the top official said, adding that the fire was totally brought under control.

Twelve people were rescued from the building using hydraulic platform and six, who complained of suffocation and some illness after inhaling smoke, were admitted to different hospitals, officials said. Some of those, who were trapped inside the building flashed cell phone lights seeking help, they added.