At least nine people, including two women, died while 21 others fell ill after a major fire broke out in a car shed during repairs in Bazaraghat, Nampally area of Hyderabad on Monday.

According to the police, the fire originated in the car shed on the ground floor of a four-story apartment.

The flames quickly spread to another room where chemical and diesel drums were stored, engulfing the entire apartment, including the cellar. Several vehicles parked in the cellar and in front of the apartment were gutted in the fire.

Upon receiving the information, four fire tenders rushed to the scene and successfully doused the flames.

The apartment residents were evacuated with the assistance of a ladder provided by the fire personnel through the windows.

The surrounding areas of the apartment were affected by the spreading of smoke from the chemicals.

The people who fell ill and were unconscious were admitted to Osmania General Hospital for treatment.

The deceased persons were identified as Md Azam (58), Rehana Sultana wife (50), Faiza Sameen (26), Thahoora Fareen (35), Tooba (6), Tarooba (13), Md. Zakeer Hussain husband (66), Hasib-ur-Rahman (32) and Nikath Sultana (55).

A case has been registered, and an investigation is underway, the police added.

(With UNI inputs)