Massive Fire Near Hyderabad’s Charminar Claims 17 Lives

Hyderabad: At least 17 people, including eight children, died, and several others were injured after a massive fire broke out in Gulzar House in the Charminar area of Hyderabad on Sunday, officials said.

According to Telangana Disaster Response and Fire Services DG, Y Nagi Reddy, “There was a fire incident in Krishna Pearls’ shop and the residential complex in Gulzar House area. The Fire Department received the call at 6:16 am and dispatched 11 fire engines with sufficient staff by 6:17 am. The fire department used breathing operators and oxygen masks to rescue the people. The information is that 17 people could not survive. The preliminary examination shows that the cause was a short circuit.”

“There was no deficiency in the fire department fighting the fire and rescuing the people. The building had only one entryway of two metres, like a tunnel. There is only one staircase of one metre to access the first and second floors. This made the escape and rescue operation very difficult. By 9 am, the fire was under control. A total of 21 people were inside the building. The cause of death is smoke inhalation; nobody had burn injuries,” the fire official added.

A senior official of a private hospital said that eight people were brought dead. Apollo Hospitals, in a statement, said they received five people with burn and inhalation injuries, and all were declared brought dead.

“All these victims had severe burns and inhalation injuries and could not be revived. Death was declared. Our ambulance team continues to remain on site to rescue any further victims. We are providing maximum support to the families of victims in this difficult time,” Apollo Hospitals said. The injured were taken to Osmania, Yashoda (Malakpet), DRDO and Apollo hospitals.

The building housed jewellery shops on the ground floor, and people were staying in a flat on the upper floor, police said, adding that smoke spread to the upper floors and people suffocated. The Telangana Fire Department in a statement said the fire broke out on the Ground floor ( G+2 building) and spread to the upper floors.

The deceased have been identified as :

1. Rajendra Kumar (67)
2. Abhishek Modi (30)
3. Sumitra (65)
4. Munnibai (72)
5. Aarushi Jain (17)
6. Sheetal Jain (37)
7. Iraj (2)
8. Arshadi Gupta (7)
9. Rajni Agarwal
10. Anya Modi
11. Pankaj Modi
12. Varsha Modi
13. Iddikki Modi
14. Rishabh
15. Pratham Agarwal
16. Pranshu Agarwal
17. Pritam

PM Modi Expresses Anguish, Announces Compensation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed anguish over the loss of lives in the fire incident in Hyderabad. In a post on X, he said,” 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. He also announced an ex gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF to the next of kin of each deceased. “The injured would be given Rs. 50,000,” he added.

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy expressed shock over the incident and directed senior officials to take all necessary measures to rescue those trapped in the building. An official release from the CMO said directions were issued to immediately shift the injured to hospitals and ensure proper medical treatment.

Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu also expressed grief over the fire accident at Gulzar House. He also offered condolences to the families of the deceased.

After visiting the site, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy said, “Police informed that eight people are dead in the fire accident. But the figure has to be confirmed by them only.” In another incident on May 14, a massive fire broke out in a three-storey building in the Begum Bazar of Hyderabad. He added that the government should provide proper equipment and training to the firefighters.

Read more:

1. Three Including Baby Killed After Fire Breaks Out In Hyderabad Building
2. Fire Breaks Out In Library Of Delhi’s Guru Gobind Singh College Of Commerce