According to police, the blaze erupted on the ground floor of the apartment complex, where some drums containing chemicals were stored and later spread to the first and second floor

They said they received a call regarding the accident at around 9.35 am

Meanwhile, Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao expressed grief over the deaths

So far 21 people were rescued from the building. Among them, 10 people were found unconscious after inhaling smoke and they were shifted to a hospital. Nine among them died, officials said

The deceased were in the age group of six and 66, they said

TV visuals showed fire personnel evacuating people, including children, through windows of the building

Fire tenders rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central Zone) M Venkateshwarlu said the fire spread rapidly and police and fire personnel evacuated the families from the building

Tamilisai Soundararajan directed the Chief Secretary to take immediate measures to provide comprehensive medical assistance to those who sustained injuries in the incident and also issued directives to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident, a Press Communique from Raj Bhavan said