hyderabad a massive fire broke out at the ongoing numaish at the exhibition grounds in nampally on wednesday night there was widespread panic as soon as the inferno raged through the stalls with thousands of visitors who thronged the venue running helterskelter luckily there were no casualtiesone hundred and fifty shops were destroyed while at least four persons were rushed to the hospitals after they complained of suffocation over 140 firefighters battled the huge ball of fire while 25 fire engines were deployed tension prevailed when cops began evacuating vendors from the stalls and visitors visitors panicked as the fire spread but we could get the crowds out of the venue safely said ranga reddy secretary allindia industrial exhibition aiie society the organisers said there were 30000 visitors at the venue when the fire broke outauthorities said a shortcircuit in a mahesh bank kiosk triggered the fire at 835pm which quickly spread to other shops mostly apparel stores located close to one another two persons were shifted to care hospital in nampally where their condition is said to be stable they have been identified as rajkumar 55 and dilawar hussain 45 who complained of low oxygen levelssoon after the fire was noticed four fire tenders which were inside the nampally grounds were pressed into service once the firefighters realised that they have a big blaze to tackle they sent out an sos to the fire headquarters 25 fire tenders and 140 firefighters were deployed we have encircled the fire from all directions to ensure that it doesnt spread to other areas said a firefighter exhibition society widened the roads leading to the stalls this helped the fire tenders gain smooth entry a member of the society said director of vigilance enforcement and disaster management ghmc viswajeet kampati told toi that 16 drf teams were at the spot and visitors were evacuated safelythe authorities said every shop was supposed to keep a fire extinguisher sand bags and other fire safety equipment handy but 90 per cent of the stalls do not have any fire safety equipment said an aiie society member aiie society president eatala rajender who rushed to the spot said action would be initiated against those responsible for the accidentwatch hyderabad fire breaks out at all india industrial exhibition no casualties reported