HYDERABAD: A big fire broke out in the early hours of Sunday at Secunderabad Club, one of the country's oldest, utterly demolishing the 144-year-old structure.
At about 3 a.m., the fire department got information of the burning at the historic building, according to a fire department official. "We sent ten fire trucks to the premises right away. The flames were brought under control after three to four hours. The official said, "The whole club has been gutted to ashes."
"Due to the Sankranti celebration, the club was closed on Saturday." The fire may have begun as a result of a short circuit, according to the official.
Officials from the fire department claimed they had to work hard to put out the fire since there was "a lot of flammable debris" on the property. The incident is thought to have burst many gas cylinders.
Anuradha Reddy, a prominent historical conservator and a member of the Secunderabad Club, claimed the club, founded by the British in 1878, is one of India's oldest clubs.
"The club is conveniently located near my home." I assumed there had been some kind of mishap. "I found out about the tragedy this morning," said Reddy, who is also the convenor of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), adding that she had heard loud sounds earlier in the day.
The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority granted historic designation to the club's century-old Main Club House in 2017.
Military officers, administrators, diplomats, police officials, professionals, scientists, and businesspeople are among the 8,000 members of the organisation.