- Title: Fire at electric bike showroom in India kills at least eight
- Date: 13th September 2022
- Summary: SECUNDERABAD, TELANGANA, INDIA (SEPTEMBER 13, 2022) (ANI - No use India) SMOKE RISING FROM THE ELECTRIC BIKE SHOWROOM, WHERE FIRE BROKE OUT KILLING AT LEAST EIGHT PEOPLE SMOKE/CHARRED PROPERTY SMOKE RISING FROM THE SHOWROOM CHARRED VEHICLE/SMOKE FIRE TRUCK AT ACCIDENT SITE POLICE PERSONNEL AND OTHERS STANDING (SOUNDBITE) (English) DEPUTY COMMISSIONER POLICE, NORTH ZONE, HYDERABAD, CHANDANA DEEPTI, SAYING: "The fire broke out last night around 9.30(p.m.) (1600 GMT) and the fire started in the basement, where a lot of electric bikes are parked. We don't know the origin of the fire as yet in a confirmed way but all those bikes and everything are gutted later on. And because of the fire, there was a lot of soot and the entire building was completely dark and completely…completely spread with soot and some people tried to jump out also. They fell down and with the help of locals and police officials some people did escape and from those who are rescued (are) in the hospitals. About eight of them have died." SMOKE RISING FROM THE SHOWROOM
- Embargoed: 27th September 2022 06:55
- Keywords: India Secunderabad Telangana eight killed electric bike showroom fire fire trucks hospital rescue operations smoke
- Location: SECUNDERABAD, TELANGANA, INDIA
- City: SECUNDERABAD, TELANGANA, INDIA
- Country: India
- Topics: Asia / Pacific,Disaster/Accidents,Fires
- Reuters ID: LVA001GTL0ZF3
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: A fire at an electric bike showroom in India killed at least eight people and sent seven more to hospital, police said on Tuesday (September 13), at a time of growing concerns about the safety of the vehicles.
A spate of fires this year in electric bikes has alarmed the government, keen to promote their use in its fight on pollution. Early investigations have identified faulty battery cells and modules among the main causes.
Monday's (September 12) fire broke out in a hotel basement housing the showroom in the southern city of Secunderabad, police said, but it was brought under control and an investigation launched.
"The fire broke out last night around 9.30(pm) (1600 GMT) and the fire started in the basement, where a lot of electric bikes are parked," said Deputy Commissioner Police, North Zone, Hyderabad, Chandana Deepti.
Police and firefighters used equipment such as cranes to pluck stranded hotel guests from the upper floors of the four-story building as smoke billowed out of its windows, media images showed.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was saddened by the deaths and promised compensation for the casualties in the fire. - Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
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