17 Killed in Massive Fire Near Charminar in Hyderabad; Children Among Victims

Hyderabad : A devastating fire broke out in the early hours of Sunday near the iconic Charminar in Hyderabad, claiming the lives of at least 17 people, including eight children. The blaze, which originated in a jewellery store located in a three-storey building at Gulzar House, is suspected to have been triggered by a short circuit.

According to fire department officials, the fire alert was received at 6:17 am, and fire tenders reached the spot within 15 minutes. Despite the quick response, the thick smoke engulfed the building rapidly, leading to the deaths of several residents due to asphyxiation. "All 17 people died of asphyxiation," confirmed a senior police officer involved in the rescue operations.

The deceased have been identified as Prahlad (70), Munni (70), Rajendar Modi (65), Smutra (60), Sheetal (35), Varsha (35), Pankaj (36), and Rajini (32). The children who perished in the incident include Hamey (7), Iddu (4), Rishab (4), Priyansh (4), Anuyan (3), Arushi (3), Iraaj (2), and Pratham (1). Additionally, eight others sustained burn injuries and are undergoing treatment.

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and directed officials to provide the best medical care to the injured. A statement from the Chief Minister’s Office stated that rescue operations were being intensified and that CM Revanth Reddy had personally spoken with Minister Ponnam Prabhakar to oversee the relief efforts.

"My heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of the tragedy. Wishing a speedy recovery to those injured," wrote Bharat Rashtra Samithi working president K T Rama Rao on social media, expressing grief over the incident.

Union Minister and BJP State President G Kishan Reddy, meanwhile, criticized the response time of fire services, alleging a delay contributed to the rising death toll. However, senior fire officials refuted the claim, stating that emergency teams responded promptly.

As the city reels from the shock, authorities continue to probe the exact cause of the fire. Preliminary findings point to an electrical short circuit on the ground floor as the source.

The incident has raised serious concerns about fire safety compliance in commercial and residential complexes, particularly in congested areas like the Old City.