Hyderabad: A suspected short circuit triggered a horrific fire early Sunday morning at the ‘Gulzar House’ building near Hyderabad’s iconic Charminar, killing 17 members of a single family, including eight children. What was supposed to be a happy summer holiday gathering ended in unimaginable tragedy, with toxic smoke engulfing the building within minutes.
How Did The Fire Tragedy Unfold?
The fire is believed to have started on the ground floor due to a short circuit, rapidly spreading through the structure. Gulzar House, a mixed-use building housing several pearl shops on the lower levels and residences above, quickly filled with smoke due to poor ventilation. With windows shut for air conditioning and only one narrow entrance, the building turned into a gas chamber.
All victims died due to asphyxiation caused by inhaling toxic fumes. “There were no burn injuries. Everyone was found unconscious. It was the smoke that killed them,” said Y Naggi Reddy, Director General, Telangana Disaster Response and Fire Services, as quoted by NDTV. The single exit point and congested layout prevented escape, especially for the children and elderly trapped inside.
The fire claimed the lives of four daughters of the building's resident and their children, who were visiting during school holidays. When the blaze broke out, there was little time to react. Firefighters had to create an additional entry point to reach the victims. “These are old buildings with one narrow access. We had to break in through another side. By then, it was too late,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police Sneha Mehra.
The tragedy has sparked outrage and demands for accountability. Some residents and traders alleged that power fluctuations were frequent in the area and may have led to the short circuit. “This is the third fire here in just one week,” said Shyam Sunder Agarwal of the Hyderabad and Secunderabad Pearls Association, calling for urgent inspection and safety upgrades in such old, crowded markets.
While some claimed water shortages hampered firefighting, officials refuted this, stating that every engine had a sufficient supply and the municipal corporation supported the operation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy expressed grief and announced ex gratia relief for the victims’ families.
