The Crossbill News Desk
In a devastating fire that broke out in the early hours of Sunday (May 18) near the historic Charminar in Hyderabad, 17 people, including eight children, lost their lives, with officials citing asphyxiation as the primary cause of death.
The blaze erupted in a three-storey building housing a jewellery store in the bustling Gulzar House area, believed to have been triggered by a short circuit on the ground floor.
Emergency services rushed to the scene shortly after the fire was reported at 6:17 a.m. A total of 70 firefighters were deployed, and it took nearly two hours to bring the flames under control, according to senior fire department officials.
According to The Indian Express, the deceased include elderly residents Prahlad (70), Munni (70), Rajendar Modi (65), Smutra (60), and several others in their 30s, such as Sheetal, Varsha, Pankaj, and Rajini. Tragically, eight children — Hamey (7), Iddu (4), Rishab (4), Priyansh (4), Anuyan (3), Arushi (3), Iraaj (2), and Pratham (1) — also perished in the incident. While some victims sustained burn injuries, officials confirmed that all 17 died due to inhalation of thick smoke.
The fire's origin is believed to be electrical, and a detailed investigation is underway to ascertain the exact cause.
Reacting to the tragedy, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy expressed deep sorrow and directed authorities to intensify rescue operations and ensure the injured receive the best possible medical care.
In a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office, he was said to have personally spoken with Minister Ponnam Prabhakar to oversee ongoing relief efforts.
“The Chief Minister issued orders to shift the injured to nearby hospitals and provide better medical treatment,” the statement said.
The CM also assured the bereaved families of full government support and conveyed his condolences over the phone.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his grief over the incident.
“Deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to a fire tragedy in Hyderabad, Telangana. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones,” he posted on X.
The Prime Minister’s Office announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the PM Relief Fund for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured.
BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao termed the incident “extremely shocking and painful” and extended condolences to the affected families.
In contrast, BJP state president and Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy blamed delayed arrival of fire tenders for the high death toll. However, fire officials countered this claim, stating that firefighting units reached the location within 15 minutes of the alert.
The blaze erupted in a three-storey building housing a jewellery store in the bustling Gulzar House area, believed to have been triggered by a short circuit on the ground floor.
Emergency services rushed to the scene shortly after the fire was reported at 6:17 a.m. A total of 70 firefighters were deployed, and it took nearly two hours to bring the flames under control, according to senior fire department officials.
According to The Indian Express, the deceased include elderly residents Prahlad (70), Munni (70), Rajendar Modi (65), Smutra (60), and several others in their 30s, such as Sheetal, Varsha, Pankaj, and Rajini. Tragically, eight children — Hamey (7), Iddu (4), Rishab (4), Priyansh (4), Anuyan (3), Arushi (3), Iraaj (2), and Pratham (1) — also perished in the incident. While some victims sustained burn injuries, officials confirmed that all 17 died due to inhalation of thick smoke.
The fire's origin is believed to be electrical, and a detailed investigation is underway to ascertain the exact cause.
Reacting to the tragedy, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy expressed deep sorrow and directed authorities to intensify rescue operations and ensure the injured receive the best possible medical care.
In a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office, he was said to have personally spoken with Minister Ponnam Prabhakar to oversee ongoing relief efforts.
“The Chief Minister issued orders to shift the injured to nearby hospitals and provide better medical treatment,” the statement said.
The CM also assured the bereaved families of full government support and conveyed his condolences over the phone.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his grief over the incident.
“Deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to a fire tragedy in Hyderabad, Telangana. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones,” he posted on X.
The Prime Minister’s Office announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the PM Relief Fund for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured.
BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao termed the incident “extremely shocking and painful” and extended condolences to the affected families.
In contrast, BJP state president and Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy blamed delayed arrival of fire tenders for the high death toll. However, fire officials countered this claim, stating that firefighting units reached the location within 15 minutes of the alert.
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