What Happened in the Tragic Fire Near Hyderabad's Charminar?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
A devastating fire in Hyderabad's historic old city resulted in the tragic loss of seventeen lives, including eight children. This incident, ignited by a suspected short circuit, has sent shockwaves through the community as officials rush to aid the victims' families. The response teams faced significant challenges during rescue operations, revealing the dangers of urban living.
Key Takeaways
- Seventeen individuals lost their lives in a fire in Hyderabad.
- The victims included eight children.
- The fire broke out due to a suspected short circuit.
- Rescue operations involved multiple fire stations and personnel.
- The government has pledged support for the victims' families.
Hyderabad, May 18 (NationPress) - A devastating fire claimed the lives of seventeen individuals, including eight children, in a residential structure located in the historic section of Hyderabad on Sunday, according to police reports.
The tragic event unfolded at Gulzar Houz near the iconic Charminar. Among the deceased are two children and four women.
In a statement to the media following his visit to the scene, Director General of Police Jitender confirmed that 17 victims were transported to various hospitals.
“Doctors have pronounced eight of the individuals taken to Yashoda Hospital dead. We are in the process of gathering information regarding the other victims,” he stated.
Shortly thereafter, the Telangana Fire Disaster Response Emergency and Civil Defence issued a report confirming the 17 casualties.
The deceased have been identified as Prahlad (70), Munni (70), Rajendar Modi (65), Sumitra (60), Hamey (7), Abhishek (31), Sheetal (35), Priyansh (4), Iraaj (2), Arushi (3), Rishabh (4), Pratham (1.5), Anuyan (3), Varsha (35), Pankaj (36), Rajini (32), and Iddu (4).
According to the report, the fire services were alerted at 6:16 a.m. to a fire that erupted in a ground+2 building. A water tender from Moghalpura quickly arrived on the scene.
“Firefighting and rescue operations were conducted simultaneously, and 17 individuals trapped on the first floor were rescued and taken to the hospital,” the statement detailed.
Due to access issues and to expedite rescue efforts, assistance was requested from other fire stations, resulting in 12 vehicles responding to the scene to aid in firefighting and rescue operations. A total of 11 vehicles, including a Fire Fighting Robot, 17 fire officers, and 70 personnel were involved in combating the blaze and rescuing those trapped. It took approximately two hours to extinguish the fire.
The police chief indicated that the fire started in a building housing shops on the ground floor and residences above.
“Initial reports suggest that the fire was caused by a short circuit, and individuals were suffocated due to smoke,” he elaborated.
The DGP noted that while the firefighters successfully extinguished the flames, some smoke continued to escape.
Earlier, Ponnam Prabhakar, the minister in charge of Hyderabad, addressed the media after visiting the incident site, confirming that most of the 17 individuals taken to hospitals did not survive.
He emphasized that the fire services department was notified at 6:15 a.m., and fire tenders arrived promptly.
“There was no negligence on anyone's part; this was an unfortunate accident,” he stated, adding that an investigation into the incident would be initiated.
Y. Nagi Reddy, Director General of Fire Services, A. V. Ranganath, Commissioner of Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA), and other officials inspected the scene.
A pearl trader operated a shop on the ground floor while his family, along with some workers' families, resided on the upper floors.
G. Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines, who also visited the site, mentioned that there was a slight delay in relief efforts by the fire services.
A. Revanth Reddy, the Chief Minister of Telangana, expressed his shock over this tragic fire incident.
He spoke with Minister Ponnam Prabhakar regarding the event and ordered an intensification of rescue operations. He also inquired about the measures being taken for rescue and relief by the police and fire service teams.
CM Revanth Reddy extended his condolences to the families of the victims over the phone, assuring them of complete government support.
Point of View
My heart goes out to the families impacted by this tragic fire in Hyderabad. The loss of seventeen lives, particularly so many young children, is a profound tragedy. While accidents can occur, the urgency for improved safety regulations in urban areas cannot be overstated. NationPress stands committed to ensuring that such incidents are thoroughly investigated and that lessons are learned to prevent future tragedies.
NationPress
22/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the fire near Charminar?
Initial reports suggest that the fire was caused by a short circuit.
How many people died in the fire?
Seventeen people, including eight children, lost their lives in this tragic incident.
What was the response from the authorities?
Authorities responded quickly, with multiple fire stations assisting in the firefighting and rescue efforts.
What support is being offered to the victims' families?
The Chief Minister has assured the families of the victims that they will receive full government support.
Is there an investigation into the incident?
Yes, an inquiry will be conducted to understand the circumstances surrounding the fire.
