18 December,2012 10:55 AM IST | | Agencies
Two aircrafts and a helicopter were gutted in a major fire at old Hyderabad airport late Monday night.
There are no reports of any casualties in the fire that broke out around midnight at the maintenance shed of Andhra Pradesh Aviation Academy, which is located in the heart of the city at Begumpet.
Sources in fire services department said two Cessna aircrafts of the academy and a helicopter used by the state chief minister were gutted.
However, there was no official statement about the number of aeroplanes destroyed.
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Ten fire engines battled the blaze for over four hours to bring it under control. The fire fighting personnel remained at the scene today morning to completely douse it.
The airport was being used for non-commercial purposes since 2008 after the new airport became operational at Shamshabad, about 30 km from the city.
Besides the Aviation Academy, the airport is used for VIP flights, private chartered aircraft and the Indian Air Force.
Mediapersons were not allowed inside the airport area and the officials were also tight lipped about the damages.
However, the huge flames and explosions spread panic among people in Bowenpalli and surrounding areas in Secunderabad.
Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy has ordered an inquiry by Crime Investigation Department.u00a0
