Hyderabad, May 18, 2025 – In a devastating early morning fire near Hyderabad’s historic Charminar, 17 people lost their lives, including eight innocent children, in one of the deadliest recent tragedies in the city. The blaze broke out at a multi-storey building in the Gulzar Houz area, a densely packed commercial zone known for jewellery businesses.
What Triggered the Fire?
Preliminary findings suggest the fire originated due to a short circuit in an air conditioner unit on the ground floor of a jewellery store. The flames quickly spread through the upper floors of the structure. Due to thick smoke and the building’s old layout, many victims succumbed to asphyxiation, while others sustained burn injuries.
The fire was first reported around 6:17 AM. Firefighters rushed to the spot with 11 fire engines and nearly 70 personnel. They struggled for over two hours to bring the inferno under control. Officials cited the narrow and congested lanes of the Old City as a major challenge in accessing the site.
Victims Identified
All 17 deceased were residents of the building, many from the same extended family. The youngest victim was just one year old.
Senior Citizens (4):
Prahlad (70)
Munni (70)
Rajender Modi (65)
Sumitra (60)
Adults (5):
Abhishek
Sheetal (35)
Varsha (35)
Pankaj (36)
Rajini (32)
Children (8):
Hamey (7)
Priyansh (4)
Iraaj (2)
Arushi (3)
Rishabh (4)
Pratham (1)
Anuyan (3)
Iddu (4)
Rescue Efforts and Medical Response
Fire personnel confirmed that most victims were found unconscious, with only one exit accessible in the smoke-filled building. Emergency responders had to create an alternate entry point to evacuate survivors. The building’s old construction, lack of modern safety measures, and blocked escape routes worsened the tragedy.
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Official Response and Condolences
A. Revanth Reddy, Telangana Chief Minister, visited the site and assured full support to the affected families. He promised a thorough investigation and immediate medical aid for the injured.
G. Kishan Reddy, Union Minister, emphasized the urgent need to upgrade firefighting infrastructure in heritage zones and improve coordination among departments.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a message on X (formerly Twitter), expressed condolences and announced ex gratia compensation of ₹2 lakh to the families of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured from the PM’s National Relief Fund.
- MP Asaduddin Owaisi also mourned the loss and called for stricter safety protocols in densely populated marketplaces.
Local leaders also echoed the need for stricter safety norms in densely populated commercial areas.
A Wake-Up Call for Heritage Zones
The tragedy has reignited concerns over urban safety in heritage-rich localities like Hyderabad. Gulzar Houz, where the fire occurred, is steps away from the iconic Charminar and is known for housing century-old buildings. Most lack fire exits, sprinklers, or basic safety upgrades.
Final Thoughts
This heartbreaking incident highlights the urgent need for fire safety reforms, particularly in older buildings with mixed commercial-residential use. As Hyderabad mourns the loss of 17 lives — including eight children — the incident leaves behind painful questions about accountability, preparedness, and the pressing need for change.