Major Fire Engulfs Chips Factory in Hyderabad’s Jagadgirigutta

A massive fire broke out on Wednesday in a warehouse belonging to a potato chips manufacturing company located in Papireddy Nagar, Jagadgirigutta, on the outskirts of Hyderabad. Thick plumes of black smoke and intense flames were seen rising from the facility, triggering panic among nearby residents. The incident, which occurred in the early hours, quickly escalated, gutting a large portion of the godown and causing significant property damage.

According to local authorities, fire tenders were rushed to the spot as soon as the alarm was raised. It took several hours and the efforts of multiple firefighting teams to bring the blaze under control. Firefighters had to navigate narrow lanes and deal with strong winds that made the fire spread faster. While no casualties were reported, workers and security personnel had to be evacuated swiftly to avoid any injuries.

The police believe that the fire may have been caused by a short circuit, although an official confirmation is still pending. Preliminary observations suggest that the fire originated in the electrical panel area and quickly spread due to the presence of flammable packaging materials and oil used in the chips production process. Forensic teams are expected to visit the site to determine the precise cause of the fire.

Residents living around the godown expressed concern about the lack of fire safety measures in the industrial area. “We heard loud noises and saw the sky filled with smoke. It was terrifying. Thankfully, no one was hurt,” said a local resident. Many have now urged authorities to conduct fire safety audits of similar manufacturing units in the region to prevent future incidents.

Officials from the Fire Department emphasized the importance of proper safety protocols in industrial facilities, especially those involved in food processing. “Godowns storing edible oils and other flammable materials must follow strict safety norms. In this case, it seems basic preventive measures were not in place,” said one senior official. He also added that a report would be submitted to the municipal authorities for further action.

The owner of the chips company has been summoned by the police for questioning and to provide documentation related to the godown’s safety clearances. Meanwhile, an estimation of the financial loss is underway, with early figures suggesting that goods worth several lakhs may have been destroyed. Further investigation is ongoing to assess liability and recommend corrective steps.