Huge Fire at Gulzar House near Charminar Hyderabad; 17 dead and several injured
A huge fire that started this morning in a building near Hyderabad's famous Charminar has killed at least 17 people, including five women and eight children.
Aadrika Tayal 
New Delhi (India) May 18: On Sunday morning, a fire broke out in a commercial-cum-residential area at the Gulzar House, next to the famous Charminar in Hyderabad, killing at least 17 people and injuring 10.
According to a fire department official they rushed to the area after receiving information at around 6:30 in the morning. The injured were taken to hospitals while eleven fire engines were used to stop the fire.
Revanth Reddy, the chief minister of Telangana, has expressed shock at the incident and ordered authorities to increase relief efforts and make sure injured people receive the best care available.
Sneha Mehra, Deputy Commissioner of Police confirmed that there was only one entry point and said, "Another entry point was created and firefighters entered from there. Most of the people inside were unconscious.These are old establishments with some new construction. Only one narrow path leads to the area where the fire happened.”
“Some victims died on the spot, while others succumbed to their injuries during treatment,” one police official said.
Police believe a short circuit may have started the incident, but a thorough investigation is being conducted to find out exactly what caused it.
In an effort to control the fire and free those trapped, firefighters and disaster response teams from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), the Disaster Response Force (DRF), and local police arrived in the area.
The PMO 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. An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000." in a post on social media platform X.
According to Telangana Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, the dead bodies have been taken to hospitals, and the state government will provide all the details shortly.
G Kishan Reddy, the State BJP President and Union Minister for Coal, also went to Gulzar House to assess the situation. Speaking to the media, he criticised the firefighting employees late response, which some of the victim’s relatives had said.
Aadrika Tayal
