Hyderabad: At least 17 people, including a seven-year-old girl and several women, were killed early Saturday after a devastating fire engulfed a building in Hyderabad’s bustling Gulzar House area, just steps from the historic Charminar. Authorities suspect a short circuit may have triggered the blaze, though an official cause has not yet been confirmed.
The fire broke out around 6:30 a.m., prompting a swift response from local emergency services. Eleven fire engines were deployed to douse the flames. Several injured victims have been transported to nearby hospitals, officials said.
“This is an immense tragedy. Our teams arrived on scene promptly, but the fire had already spread rapidly through the building,” said a senior fire department official.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “deeply anguished” by the loss of lives. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), his office announced ex-gratia payments of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund to the families of those who died, and ₹50,000 for each injured person.
Deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to a fire tragedy in Hyderabad, Telangana. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon.
An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be…
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 18, 2025
Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy, who visited the site and met with victims’ families, called for systemic reforms. “The family lived above their shop in a congested area. These incidents are extremely painful. I’m not pointing fingers, but departments like police, fire, electricity, and the municipality must be strengthened,” he said. Reddy also noted initial reports suggesting firefighters lacked proper equipment and called for the adoption of better technology and infrastructure.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy expressed shock over the incident and directed officials to intensify relief operations. He emphasized that the injured must receive the best possible treatment.
The fire struck in an area known for its dense concentration of century-old jewelry shops and narrow lanes. Many establishments in the locality share common walls, making them particularly vulnerable to fast-spreading fires.
Telangana Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said all bodies have been recovered and sent for post-mortem examination. “The state government will soon release comprehensive information,” he said.
