Diwali fires hit godowns and shops across Hyderabad; dozens treated for eye injuries

A string of fires broke out across Hyderabad over Diwali, on 8 and 9 November, damaging godowns, shops and a factory. No one was killed, but the owners said property worth lakhs of rupees was lost, the Telugu daily Sakshi reported.

The largest fire hit a unit making paper tea cups and plates in Asbestos Colony, Kukatpally, early on Monday, 9 November. The flames spread to nearby godowns storing ghee and packaged snacks. Firefighters used four fire engines to fight it. A short circuit is the suspected cause.

On the evening of 8 November, a fire broke out in a plastic godown in the Mylardevpally industrial area, near Katedan, and spread to neighbouring units, Samayam Telugu and V6 Velugu reported. Cracker sparks set off a fire in a building in Begum Bazar, Sakshi said. There were also fires in a scrap shop in Jeedimetla, a decoration godown in Mylardevpally old village and a medicine store at Bandimet in Secunderabad.

Eye injuries

At the government Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital in Mehdipatnam, patients hurt by crackers kept arriving through the festival. Reports gave different numbers. Samayam Telugu said 32 people had come with eye injuries and six were admitted. V6 Velugu said 82 people had sought treatment so far, against 116 over a full week during last year’s Diwali.

Doctors say most of the injuries happen when sparks fly straight into the eyes.

What to do

• Let children light crackers only when an adult is watching.
• Keep a safe distance and do not lean over a cracker that has not gone off.
• If an eye is hurt, do not rub it; see an eye doctor at once.
• In an emergency, dial 112.