Hyderabad: A major fire broke out at the Telangana Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) building in Nampally on Saturday morning, triggering a large-scale emergency response from the fire department. Officials said the blaze spread across multiple rooms on the first floor and caused damage to computers, storage devices and case-related documents before it was brought under control after several hours of operations.
According to fire department authorities, an emergency call reporting the fire was received at 10.21 am. A fire tender from the Assembly fire station was immediately dispatched, followed by additional fire engines and personnel from other nearby stations as the scale of the incident became clear.
No casualties were reported in the incident, but the extent of material damage is still being assessed.
Firefighters faced heavy smoke on arrival
Fire personnel who reached the spot said they initially faced difficulty entering the first floor due to dense smoke that had filled the corridors and rooms. Visibility inside the building was extremely low, slowing the first phase of response.
“Initially, the firefighters could not enter the first floor of the building due to heavy smoke. Later, wearing Self Contained Breathing Apparatus, the men managed to enter the building and started the operations,” a fire department official at the scene said.
Teams then began systematic fire-fighting and smoke-clearing operations, working room by room to prevent further spread.
Initial attempts with extinguishers failed
Sources said laboratory staff initially requested that firefighters try to control the blaze using in-house fire extinguishers, considering the presence of computers and sensitive electronic equipment in the affected rooms. Dry chemical and CO₂ extinguishers are generally preferred in such environments to limit water damage.
However, as the fire had already intensified, attempts to douse it using extinguishers did not succeed. Firefighters then shifted to water-based suppression to prevent the blaze from spreading further.
By that time, the fire had spread to three to four rooms on the first floor. Crews laid hose lines and carried out coordinated water discharge while ensuring electrical risks were managed.
Computers, storage devices and records damaged
Preliminary reports indicate that several computers, hard disks, documents related to multiple cases and other materials were gutted in the fire. The Forensic Science Laboratory handles sensitive evidence and analytical records connected to criminal investigations, making the damage particularly significant.
DCP (Khairatabad) K Shilpavalli said initial suspicion points to an electrical short circuit as the likely cause, though a final determination will follow technical examination.
“We suspect the fire started due to a short circuit in the room. At this stage we cannot say about the equipment damaged in the fire,” she said.
Officials said a detailed inventory and damage audit will be carried out once the affected areas are declared safe for entry.
Fire brought under control after three hours
A senior fire department official said the blaze was brought under control within about three hours due to swift and coordinated action by multiple teams. Along with water jets, smoke extractors were deployed to remove accumulated smoke from the building and improve working conditions inside.
“The fire was brought under control promptly due to swift action. Smoke extractors were used to draw smoke out of the building,” the official said.
Cooling operations continued even after the main flames were extinguished to ensure that no hidden embers or hotspots remained in false ceilings, wiring ducts or storage units.
Silence from lab officials on case impact
Officials of the forensic science laboratory have so far remained tight-lipped about the precise nature of the materials destroyed and whether any high-profile case evidence was affected. The lab plays a crucial role in examining forensic samples and generating expert reports used in criminal trials and convictions.
Legal experts note that forensic records are often backed up through digital and procedural safeguards, but confirmation will depend on internal audits and data recovery assessments.
Authorities are expected to examine whether backup servers, off-site storage or mirrored databases can mitigate the loss of digital records.
Probe into cause and safety systems likely
An internal inquiry is expected into the exact cause of the fire and the functioning of in-building fire safety systems, including alarms, detectors and suppression equipment. Electrical systems and server rooms are likely to come under particular scrutiny.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about fire preparedness and infrastructure safeguards in buildings housing critical investigative and judicial support institutions.
Further updates are expected after technical teams complete structural and electrical safety checks and submit their reports.