Woman jumps from burning building, dies

A woman died and three women were injured after a fire broke out in a commercial complex located on Minister Road in Secunderabad on Thursday evening.A According to eye witnesses, a woman identified as Richa, 21, a resident of Rasoolpura, cornered by fire from all sides and with no fire exit, out of fear, jumped from the third floor of the building and was badly injured. She was rushed to the nearby KIMS Hospital, where she succumbed later. It is learnt that Richa had joined the gymnasium just two days back.

Three other women - Safina, gym manager, Purva Bengali and Sneha and a man identified as Umer, who were also on the third floor, suffered minor injuries when they attempted to come out of the building that was up in flames. The injured have been admitted to KIMS Hospital for treatment.

As many as six fire tenders were pressed into service to put out the blaze. It took about two hours to bring the fire under control. Fire services officials said the fire broke out on the first floor and the flames quickly spread to other floors of the ground plus three storeyed building - Prem Arcade located in Sindhi Colony near KIMS Hospital around 5 pm.

While the first floor housed a rexin godown, second floor housed a coffee house along with some private offices and the third floor was occupied by a fitness centre. The first floor is normally kept locked since it is only a godown and the coffee house has not been functioning for the last few weeks, fire services officials said.

Tension prevailed in the area fearing that the fire might spread to the closely located residential and commercial complexes. Smoke billowing out of the building caused suffocation not only for the neighbours but also to the patients in the KIMS Hospital.

Four persons including a woman were present in the fitness center at the time of accident. Those working in the small offices on the second floor rushed out of the building, while the men exercising in the fitness centre escaped with some injuries. Ramgopalpet police registered a case and launched investigations.