Hyderabad: Hyderabad has been reporting two or three fire accidents daily in 2025, with most of them being attributed to human errors or short circuits, said Hyderabad district fire officer.“Oil tankers pose a greater risk due to flammable nature of their cargo,” said an official from the Telangana Disaster Response & Fire Services (TGDRFS).According to TGDRFS data, Hyderabad has reported 5,407 fire accidents till May and 50 of them were major incidents. Out of the total 5,407, a large number of the fire accidents were due to oil storage facilities and tankers.“The recent surge in oil tanker fire accidents in Hyderabad is a stark reminder of the growing risks posed by the unsafe handling and storage of highly flammable materials in urban places,” said a person working in a petrol bunk.“While quick action by fire services has prevented large scale tragedies so far, these incidents expose serious gaps in regulatory enforcement, industrial safety and urban planning,” he added.When questioned about lapses the official of TGDRFS said that the department intensified inspections of oil tanker yards and private fuel storage facilities.“The department is also pressing for amendments to the Telangana Fire Services Act, 1999, to make fire safety certification mandatory for all commercial establishments not just for high rise buildings,” said an official from the TGDRFS.“Oil tankers carry highly flammable materials and cannot be left unattended in public spaces,” he added.To prevent future incidents, the department is taking few precautions like advocating designated tanker parking away from residential areas. Driver training in fire response and handling emergencies is also being encouraged.The fire department officials emphasised the importance of regular safety audits, proper storage of flammable materials and following fire safety norms to prevent such disasters. The fire department urged industries and transportation companies to install functional fire safety equipment and conduct dills to ensure preparedness.Authorities say that targeted reforms, combined with public cooperation are essential to prevent larger tragedies.
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