Major fire in Nampally traps six, including two children, Numaish visitors advised to postpone

A major fire broke out on Saturday afternoon in a four‑storey commercial building in Nampally, Hyderabad , triggering a large-scale rescue operation as several people are feared trapped inside. The blaze reportedly started around 12:30 pm in a furniture showroom on the ground floor , identified as Bacha Crystal/Bacha Castle Furniture, before spreading through the building and filling it with thick smoke .

Authorities now say up to six people may be trapped inside , including a woman and her two children , though initial estimates suggested three to four people. Officials have not yet confirmed any casualties.

Firefighters, police, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), disaster response teams, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are engaged in the rescue effort. Teams are using hydraulic lifts, cranes, and even robots to try to reach the trapped individuals. Thick smoke and intense heat continue to hamper the operation, forcing personnel to periodically retreat for safety.

Hyderabad Police Commissioner V. C. Sajjanar , who is personally supervising the rescue, said, “We suspect that three to four people are inside the building. We are trying to rescue them.” He added, “Though the fire was brought under control, heavy smoke is making it difficult for the rescue personnel to go inside.”

Sajjanar also advised the public to avoid the area, saying, “People planning to visit the ongoing Numaish exhibition should postpone their visit due to traffic disruption and the ongoing rescue operation.”

The fire has caused severe traffic disruption , particularly around Nampally Railway Station, Abids, GPO, and the Numaish exhibition grounds , as roads are cordoned off to allow emergency vehicles to operate. Nearby buildings have been evacuated as a precaution.

No official confirmation of deaths or injuries has been released, and the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation. Preliminary reports suggest an accidental origin in the furniture godown area. Rescue operations are ongoing as teams continue to battle heavy smoke and fire to reach anyone still trapped inside.