Historic Secunderabad Club distroyed in massive fire

In Telangana, a massive fire broke out at the famous Secunderabad Club in the wee hours of Sunday near Hyderabad. The fire completely destroyed the 144-year-old edifice completely. According to preliminary investigations, the property loss is anticipated to be over Rs 20 crores. The tragic incident occurred around 3 AM. No casualty has been reported so far.  It took about three to four hours to bring the flames under control. The entire club has been gutted to ashes. The club was closed on Saturday on account of Sankranti festival. The fire accident might have started due to short circuit.Fire department officials said they had to struggle a lot to put out the fire due to the presence of “a lot of combustible material” in the premises. Several gas cylinders are believed to have exploded in the fire. The Secunderabad Club was established in 1878, under the British government, primarily for military officials. It is one of the oldest clubs in the country. It was previously known as the Secunderabad Garrison Club, Secunderabad Gymkhana Club, and the United Services Club before being renamed the Secunderabad Club. Until 1947, the Club’s presidents were all British, and only a few high-ranking nobility were invited to join.

The elite heritage club has 5000 members, 300 employees and is spread out on a 30-acre area. Secunderabad Club’s century-old Main Club House was given heritage status by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority in 2017, boasted of a cricket field, swimming pool and many other outdoor sports facilities. The police commissioner of Hyderabad city, CV Anand, said built-up area was largely made of wood, so the club did not stand a chance despite fire and police rescue efforts. A colonnade patterned in the Old British style, a spacious ball room and an open-air theatre were some of the other facilities provided by the club. The club also had a 5-star accommodation that included Heritage Suites. It was extremely well-laid out with air-conditioned bars, dining halls, banquet halls as well as a number of lawns for large gatherings and parties.