Hyderabad: 17 killed, Including 8 Children, in Charminar Building Fire

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office said he was “deeply anguished” by the loss of lives in the fire.

Source: NDTV

In a heart-wrenching tragedy, 8 children among 17 killed in building fire near Hyderabad’s Charminar, a devastating fire engulfed a residential building near the historic Charminar area, leaving the city and the entire nation in shock. This incident has raised serious questions about fire safety, emergency preparedness, and the urgent need for stricter regulations in densely populated urban areas.

The fire broke out late at night, trapping many residents inside the multi-story building. Despite rapid response by firefighters and rescue teams, the fire claimed 17 lives, including 8 innocent children, and injured several others. This article delves deep into the details of the incident, eyewitness accounts, government response, and the broader implications for fire safety in Hyderabad and similar cities.

Hyderabad: A massive fire broke out in a building near the iconic Charminar this morning, claiming the lives of at least 17 people, including eight children and five women. While the exact cause of the blaze remains unconfirmed, authorities suspect a short circuit may have triggered the tragic incident

A fire department spokesperson stated that they were alerted around 6:30 a.m. and immediately dispatched teams to the scene. Eleven fire engines were deployed to battle the flames, and the injured were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy Visits Site

Union Minister G Kishan Reddy stated that the family affected by the fire resided above their shop in the Gulzar House area. After meeting the family members, he expressed his sorrow over the tragic incident. Without assigning blame, he emphasized the need to strengthen the police, municipal, fire, and electricity departments. Reddy also mentioned that firefighters initially lacked proper equipment and stressed the importance of adopting better technology in the future. He assured that he would discuss the matter with the central government and the Prime Minister to secure financial assistance for the families of the deceased.

Source: G kishan Reddy

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy expressed deep shock over the incident and directed officials to intensify relief efforts while ensuring the best possible medical care for the injured.

The accident occurred in an area lined with jewellery shops, many of which are over a century old, densely packed together with shared walls. The location is just a short distance from the historic Charminar.

Telangana Minister Ponnam Prabhakar confirmed that the bodies have been retrieved and sent to hospitals, assuring that the state government will soon release complete details on the incident.

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PM Modi Expresses Grief and Announces Compensation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed profound grief over the tragic fire incident in Hyderabad, Telangana, which claimed several lives. In a post on X, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) stated, “Deeply distressed by the loss of lives in the Hyderabad fire tragedy. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the swift recovery of the injured.” The PMO also announced financial assistance from the PM National Relief Fund (PMNRF), with ₹2 lakh to be provided to the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for those injured.

Source: PMO India

Congress Rajya Sabha MP M. Anil Kumar Yadav informed NDTV that rescue operations are still underway. “This is an extremely tragic incident, especially as it occurred in a marketplace. I commend the efforts of the firefighters and other departments—they have done their best. The fire has now been extinguished,” he said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Sneha Mehra explained that the building initially had only one entry point. However, a second access point was created to allow firefighters to enter, as most people inside were found unconscious. ‘These are older structures with some newer additions,’ she added. ‘The fire broke out in an area accessible only by a single narrow pathway.

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The victims included four elderly individuals—Prahlad, Munni, Rajender Modi, and Sumitra—along with eight young children: Hamey (7), Priyansh (4), Iraaj (2), Arushi (3), Rishabh (4), Pratham (1), Anuyan (3), and Iddu (4). Among the other deceased were Abhishek, Sheetal, Varsha, Pankaj, and Rajini.”