A major fire erupted early Saturday morning at a furniture store located in Hyderabad’s Asifnagar area, triggering panic among residents and workers in the multi-storey building. The incident occurred around 4:19 AM in a structure that housed a furniture manufacturing and repair workshop spread across the cellar, ground, and first floor. Workers who were staying on the second and third floors noticed thick smoke rising through the structure and promptly alerted the authorities.

The Telangana Fire Department responded swiftly to the distress call, dispatching seven firefighting teams from various stations across the city. The rescue operation was both risky and intense, as dense smoke had filled the upper levels, trapping 12 individuals inside. Firefighters worked through challenging conditions and successfully evacuated all trapped persons. A video capturing the dramatic rescue and rising flames quickly made rounds on social media, sparking public concern.

Authorities are now investigating the cause of the blaze, which is suspected to have originated from an electrical short circuit in the cellar workshop. The building has since been cordoned off for safety inspections. Fortunately, no fatalities have been reported so far, though officials are assessing potential damage to property. The timely intervention of emergency services undoubtedly prevented a much larger tragedy.