A scene at an electronics showroom in Shalibanda in Hyderabad on November 25, 2025. Photo: Special Arrangement
One person was killed and eight other sustained injuries in a massive fire at an electronics showroom in Shalibanda late on Monday (November 24, 2025) night. The blaze erupted between 10.15 and 10.20 p.m. in the G+2 structure with an additional penthouse, just as the shop was closing for the day, prompting a large-scale emergency response from the fire department and police.
The deceased, said to be a passer-by, is yet to be identified. Officials said he was declared dead shortly after being shifted to Osmania General Hospital. Among the injured are the owner of Gomathi Enterprises, Shiva Kumar Bhanwal, and salesmen Ganesh Vijaykumar and Karthik Mahadev. Other injured include Manikanta, a car driver; Shaik Ahmad, who was travelling on a two-wheeler; and three auto-rickshaw passengers — Syed Shabbir, Ghouse and Nasreen — who sustained minor injuries.
Hyderabad District Fire Officer–II Ajmeera Sreedas confirmed that Ganesh is in a critical condition with 80% burn injuries, while the two salesmen suffered around 30% burns. The remaining injured individuals sustained minor injuries, of which three were administered first aid.
Tension gripped the neighbourhood as dense black smoke poured out of the building and flames climbed through the structure, triggering continuous explosions as electronic appliances went up in flames.
At the time of the incident, only three people were inside the shop – the owner and two staff members – while others were passing through the area. The building’s ground floor functioned as an electronics showroom, while the upper floors were used for residential purposes. The owner’s family was not staying in their first-floor residence at the time, and the second floor and penthouse were occupied by the families of the sales staff.
While the cause of the fire is yet to be determined, fire officials are examining two versions. “One is based on the car driver Manikanta’s statement that he was inside the car when a sudden explosion occurred in the showroom. The force of the blast sent debris flying outward, overturning his car and causing injuries. This could suggest a short circuit inside the building. However, some locals claimed that a speeding car rammed into the shop and triggered the blaze. The car was a CNG vehicle, but we found the cylinder intact, so that theory is also being cross-checked,” explained Mr. Sreedas.
While the electronics showroom was completed gutted, the cloth shop located on the left side of the building was partially damaged and a godown behind the showroom was safeguarded after firefighters brought the blaze under control before it could spread further. A car and two two-wheelers parked in the lane outside and behind the building were gutted in the fire.
Following a distress call at 10.26 p.m., eight fire tenders, a bronto skylift and a firefighting robot were deployed in the operation, which continued for nearly four hours. The fire was fully extinguished by around 1.30 a.m. to 2 a.m.
A case has been registered by the Moghalpura police, and further investigation is underway to determine the exact trigger for the incident as well the identity of the deceased.
Published – November 25, 2025 10:41 am IST
