Inferno near Charminar claims 17 lives in pre-dawn tragedy

In the early hours of May 18, a devastating fire engulfed a building near Hyderabad’s iconic Charminar, killing at least 17 people — including a seven-year-old girl — and injuring several others.

The blaze erupted in the densely packed Gulzar House area, home to a cluster of age-old jewelry shops and residential quarters, sending shockwaves through the city.

Emergency services received a distress call around 6:30 am. Eleven fire engines were dispatched to combat the flames, which had already torn through the structure by the time they arrived. According to officials, the victims were trapped in the upper floors, with most found unconscious due to the suffocating smoke.

A narrow, single-point entry complicated rescue efforts, prompting firefighters to create an alternative access route. While the exact cause remains under investigation, authorities suspect a short circuit may have triggered the fire.

Union Minister G Kishan Reddy, who visited the site and met grieving families, expressed deep sorrow and called for an urgent overhaul of Hyderabad’s fire safety protocols. “This is a tragedy that exposes the cracks in our urban safety systems,” he said. “We need stronger municipal oversight and modern firefighting infrastructure. I will personally speak to the Prime Minister and push for financial support to the affected families.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi echoed the nation’s anguish, stating he was “deeply anguished” by the loss of lives. His office announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh each for the deceased’s next of kin and ₹50,000 for the injured, to be disbursed from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy also expressed his shock, instructing state officials to expedite relief measures and ensure the best possible care for the injured. Telangana Minister Ponnam Prabhakar confirmed that all bodies had been recovered and shifted to hospitals, promising a detailed statement soon.

The building, like many in the neighborhood, was a mix of old and new construction — a fragile blend common in this historic commercial district. Sneha Mehra, Deputy Commissioner of Police, noted, “These establishments often have only one narrow entry point. That severely hindered evacuation efforts.”

Rajya Sabha MP M Anil Kumar Yadav lauded the tireless efforts of first responders, acknowledging the grave conditions they faced. “This is a marketplace, bustling with lives and livelihoods. The response was prompt, but the damage was catastrophic.”

As smoke clears over the centuries-old market, the tragedy stands as a grim reminder: behind the glitter of heritage lies a fragile infrastructure in desperate need of reform.