The blaze is believed to have started on the ground floor of the three-storey structure, which housed jewellery shops, before rapidly spreading to the upper residential floors.
Published May 18, 2025 | 10:56 AM ⚊ Updated May 18, 2025 | 6:48 PM
Fire and Rescue department personnel dousing the fire.
Synopsis: At least 17 people, including eight children, lost their lives and several others were injured after a fire broke out in a building in the Old City area of Hyderabad. Rescue efforts are underway.
In a tragic incident early Sunday, 18 May, 17 people lost their lives and several others were injured after a fire broke out in a building near Gulzar Houz in the Old City area of Hyderabad in Telangana.
The blaze is believed to have started on the ground floor of the three-storey (G+2) structure, which housed jewellery shops, before rapidly spreading to the upper residential floors.
While the shops were unoccupied at the time, several families were staying in rooms on the upper levels. Preliminary reports suggest that an air conditioner compressor exploded during the fire, fatally injuring at least five people. Another five reportedly died due to smoke inhalation.
Meanwhile, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) Mayor Gadwal Vijayalakshmi said a short circuit caused the fire. The exact cause is still under investigation, according to the Telangana Fire Disaster Response and Emergency Services.
The fire was reported at 6.16am, and the first water tender from Moghalpura Fire Station was dispatched at 6.17am and reached the site by 6.20am. Fire tenders from multiple stations, including Moghalpura and Gowliguda, responded.
In total, 11 fire vehicles, one Bronto Skylift, and a fire robot (which was not required) were mobilised, along with 17 fire officers and 70 personnel, totaling 87 responders.
Firefighters faced significant challenges accessing the site, as the narrow lanes restricted movement. The only staircase to upper floors was centrally located and less than 1 meter wide.
It was directly adjacent to the fire’s origin point and quickly filled with smoke and heat, rendering it unusable. There was no alternate exit or external window access for ventilation or entry. Additionally, the ground floor was blocked by parked motorcycles, which fuelled the fire further.
To reach those trapped, personnel had to drill a hole through a first-floor wall while fire suppression was ongoing below. Four people were also rescued from the terrace using two ladders. In total, 17 people were rescued and shifted to hospitals.
The deceased have been identified as:
District Fire Officer Venkanna was injured during operations and has been hospitalized. Due to swift action, the fire was contained within two hours, and the spread to adjacent buildings was prevented.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had directed officials to intensify rescue efforts and provide good treatment for the injured.
He spoke to Minister Ponnam Prabhakar who went to the scene and reviewed the situation and spoke to the accident victims on the phone. Revanth Reddy assured all possible support on behalf of the government
పాతబస్తీ మీర్ చౌక్ లో…
భారీ అగ్ని ప్రమాదంలో…
పలువురు మరణించడం…
తీవ్ర దిగ్భ్రాంతిని కలిగించింది.సహాయక చర్యలను ముమ్మరం
చేయాలని, క్షతగాత్రులకు మెరుగైన వైద్యం అందించాలని…
అధికారులను ఆదేశించాను.— Revanth Reddy (@revanth_anumula) May 18, 2025
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased and the injured would be given ₹50,000.
“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,” the prime minister said.
Meanwhile, BRS Working President KT Rama Rao said the party’s team would be available for the rescue efforts.
“Extremely shocked and pained!! Details emerging out of Gulzar House fire tragedy in Old City are very sad. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of the tragedy. Wishing a speedy recovery to those injured. Hoping and praying that this fire will be contained very soon. BRS team will be available for anything that you may need,” he said in a post on X.
BRS leader T Harish Rao slammed the state government over repeated fire accidents in Hyderabad.
“Despite a series of fire accidents occurring in the state and Hyderabad city, the government is failing miserably to take preventive measures. The government’s negligence in not adopting a pre-emptive strategy to prevent fire accidents during the summer season. The government’s negligence is causing widespread suffering to innocent people. Many people are becoming victims. We urge the government to open its eyes and immediately conduct a review of the fire department’s preparedness,” he wrote in a post on X.
Further, he demanded the government to announce an ex-gratia of ₹25 lakh each to the families of those killed in the fire accident.
(With inputs from Sumit Jha.)
