NuzTube INDIA
Hyderabad – A devastating fire at the Gulzar Houz building, just a few meters away from the iconic Charminar, has claimed the lives of 17 members of a single family, including eight children, sending shockwaves across the city and the nation. The fire, which broke out early Sunday morning, is believed to have been caused by a short circuit and quickly engulfed the residential area of the building.
What was supposed to be a joyful family reunion during the summer vacation turned into a heart-wrenching tragedy. The deceased included the daughters of the building’s resident and their children, who had come visiting for the holidays.
According to authorities, the fire broke out around 5:30 AM, catching the family completely off guard. With only one narrow entrance, closed windows, and no ventilation, the three-story building turned into a toxic gas chamber within minutes. Victims are believed to have lost consciousness quickly due to smoke inhalation, and tragically, no one sustained burn injuries — indicating that all perished from suffocation.
Y Naggi Reddy, Director General of Telangana Disaster Response and Fire Services, confirmed that all deaths were due to toxic smoke. “The structure had only one exit, and the windows were sealed — likely because of air conditioners. The smoke had no way to escape, turning the building into a death trap,” he said.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (South Zone), Sneha Mehra, explained that firefighters had to break through the walls to create an alternate entry point. “Most of the people inside were already unconscious when the team entered. These are old establishments with newer construction on top — congested and extremely hazardous,” she said.
Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi visited the site and stated that some victims may have unknowingly locked the doors from inside, making escape impossible. “It was a horrific scene, with families gathered inside for a reunion and left with no chance to flee,” he said.
The rescue operation involved 11 fire engines, a firefighting robot, and dozens of firefighters. Visuals from the scene showed chaos and despair, with local residents gathering around the cordoned-off area as smoke billowed into the sky.
Some locals alleged that fire engines ran out of water during the rescue, but senior fire officials dismissed the claim. “Each engine carries about 4,500 liters of water, and the rest is coordinated by the municipal corporation. There was no water shortage,” said Mr. Reddy. However, he emphasized the urgent need to install fire and smoke detection systems in older buildings across the city.
Electrical fluctuations are suspected to have triggered the short circuit. According to Shyam Sunder Agarwal, Secretary of the Hyderabad and Secunderabad Pearls Association, this was the third fire incident in a week in the Gulzar Houz area, home to many pearl traders and jewelry shops. He urged authorities to improve safety norms and infrastructure.
In response to the tragedy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief via social media platform X (formerly Twitter). “Deeply anguished by the loss of lives in the Hyderabad fire tragedy. My prayers are with the bereaved families,” he wrote.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy also conveyed his condolences and assured that financial compensation would be provided to the victims’ families. The state government has launched an investigation into the incident, focusing on fire safety violations and unauthorized structural modifications.
As Hyderabad mourns the loss of 17 innocent lives, this incident has once again raised serious concerns about fire safety in densely populated urban centers, especially in historic commercial zones like Gulzar Houz.
