Five killed in fire at furniture shop building in Hyderabad
Hyderabad (PTI): Five persons, including two children and an elderly woman, died after a fire broke out in a four-storey furniture shop building in Nampally here, officials said on Sunday.
A major fire broke out on Saturday in the building, after which rescue operations were launched to save five persons trapped in the basement, officials said.
"Five bodies, including that of two boys and an elderly woman were retrieved from the cellar of the building on Sunday," a senior police official told PTI.
They are suspected to have died due to asphyxiation. However, the cause of the deaths would be known after post-mortem, she said.
ALSO READ: Three killed in fire at furniture shop building in Hyderabad
When asked about the cause of the blaze, the official said it was under investigation. A case was registered against the owner of the shop, the official added.
Telangana Fire, Disaster Response, Emergency and Civil Defence Department Director General Vikram Singh Mann told media on Sunday that furniture, raw material, chemicals, plastics, mattresses, foam were among the materials stored in the two basements of the building.
This apart, accommodation with a room was provided to a security guard and his family in the cellar, he said, adding the basements were meant only for parking.
Multiple agencies, including police, fire, NDRF personnel and Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA), took part in the rescue operations that began Saturday afternoon.
Although the fire was brought under control, thick smoke billowing out from the building made the operation difficult.
The ramp leading to the basements was also blocked with materials which made it difficult for rescue personnel to access, officials earlier said.
Those who were trapped were the family members of a security guard and other workers.
Expressing shock over the incident, Transport and Hyderabad District in-charge Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Sunday said the government would support the families of the victims.
He directed the police officials to file criminal cases against the shop owner for "not following" fire safety guidelines.
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Popular Odia singer Abhijit Majumdar dies
Bhubaneswar (PTI): Popular Odia music composer and singer Abhijit Majumdar died on Sunday while undergoing treatment at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, hospital authorities said.
He was 54.
Majumdar was admitted to the hospital on September 4 last year with hypertension, hypothyroidism and chronic liver disease.
After prolonged treatment in the ICU, he was shifted back to the medicine ward on November 10 for continuity of his care, AIIMS said in a statement.
He developed a new onset of fever (infection) on January 23, which was managed as per standard protocol, but he did not respond to treatment and developed refractory septic shock, it said.
"The Odia singer suffered a cardiac arrest this morning at 7.43 am and CPR was started as per ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support) protocol. However, despite all the resuscitation efforts, he was clinically declared dead at 9.02 am," the hospital bulletin said.
Majumdar, who composed music for numerous blockbuster Odia films and gave voice to several hit songs, has a fan following across Odisha.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Leader of the Opposition Naveen Patnaik and several other leaders from the state expressed grief over the demise of Majumdar.
"I am deeply saddened to learn about the demise of renowned vocalist and music director Abhijit Majumdar. His demise is an irreparable loss to our music, cinema, and culture. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and pray to Lord Jagannath for the peace of the departed soul," Majhi wrote on X.
Pradhan, in a social media post, said he was deeply saddened and heartbroken after hearing about Majumdar's demise.
Through his unique musical style, Majumdar had, over many decades, carved out a special place in the hearts of Odia music listeners, Pradhan said.
"His untimely departure is an irreparable loss for the Odia artiste fraternity. While praying for the eternal peace of his soul, I extend my condolences to the bereaved family members," the Union minister said.
Patnaik said Majumdar's contributions to the Odia music world will always remain memorable. He also extended deepest condolences to the bereaved family members.
According to Majumdar's family, the mortal remains of the singer will be taken to his home in Cuttack, where the last rites will be performed.
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