At least 17 people have died in a major fire that broke out near the famous Charminar in Hyderabad, one of the biggest cities in southern India. Among the dead are five women and eight children, according to local news reports.
The fire happened early on Sunday morning, May 18, in a building located in the Gulzar Houz area. This part of the city is close to many shops and homes and is known for being crowded and busy. Local news outlet NDTV reported that the fire may have started due to a short circuit.
Fire officials received the call around 6:30 in the morning. Eleven fire engines rushed to the scene. Firefighters worked hard to control the flames and rescue people trapped inside. Many of the injured were taken to different hospitals in the area.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives. He offered financial help to the families of the victims. Each family who lost a loved one will get ₹2 lakh (about $2,400) from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. Those who were injured will receive ₹50,000 (about $600) each.
Police said the building had only one main entrance. This made rescue efforts more difficult. Later, emergency workers created a second entry point to help those stuck inside. Many of the people inside the building were found unconscious.
The area where the fire happened is one of the oldest in Hyderabad. The streets are narrow, and the buildings are close together. Many of the structures are very old and not built with modern safety systems. This makes fires more dangerous and harder to stop.
The fire raised concerns again about safety in crowded urban areas. People living nearby said they often fear that old wiring and poor planning could lead to disasters like this. Many shops and houses in Gulzar Houz are built close to each other, which made it hard for fire trucks to get to the spot quickly.
Firefighters said they faced many problems. Smoke filled the building fast. There was little space to move, and the narrow roads made it hard to bring in equipment. Some of the victims may have died from smoke inhalation before the flames reached them.
Rescue teams worked for hours to search the damaged building. They also used ladders to reach upper floors. Emergency services stayed at the scene through the day to make sure the fire did not restart.
Locals gathered near the building, some searching for loved ones. Others watched as emergency teams worked. Many were in shock. A witness said, “I saw smoke coming out and people screaming. It was horrible.”
Fire department officials said they will check if the building followed safety rules. If not, action will be taken against the owners. Police are also investigating how the fire started and why so many people were trapped.
This tragic event has reminded many about the importance of fire safety. Experts say cities like Hyderabad need better fire prevention plans. In crowded areas, buildings must be checked often to prevent such disasters.
As the city mourns the lives lost, questions remain. Could this fire have been stopped? Were there signs that were missed? For now, families are left grieving, and officials are left with the task of making sure this does not happen again.
