Gulzar House Had Single Entry Gate, Narrow Staircase: How Fire Near Hyderabad's Charminar Snuffed Out 17 Lives

As many as 17 persons were killed after a massive fire engulfed a building near Gulzar House at Charminar in Hyderabad on Sunday morning. Over 21 people were inside the building when the incident took place. Fire tenders were rushed to the spot soon after the incident was reported and it took over two hours to douse the flames. 

All 17 persons died due to smoke inhalation and no one had burn injuries.

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Telangana Disaster Response and Fire Services DG, Y Nagi Reddy, said preliminary inspection suggests that the cause of the fire could be a short circuit in the building. He said that there was only one entry gate in the building, which was just two metres wide, like a tunnel. 

Reddy said there is only one staircase of one metre to access the first and second floors, which made the escape of people difficult. This also hampered the rescue operation. 

On being asked if the rescue operation was delayed, Reddy said the department received the call at 6:16 am and 11 fire engines with sufficient staff were dispatched by 6:17 am. He said the fire was controlled by 9 am. 

#WATCH | Hyderabad | Telangana Disaster Response and Fire Services DG, Y Nagi Reddy, says, "There was a fire incident in Krishna Pearls shop and the residential complex in Gulzar House area. The Fire department received the call at 6:16 am and dispatched 11 fire engines with… pic.twitter.com/eexYZeGake

— ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2025

According to the police, cited by news agency PTI, the building had jewellery shops on the ground floor, while residential flats were located above. Smoke spread rapidly, leading to suffocation among the residents. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed anguish over the incident. He announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for those who were injured.

"Deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to a fire tragedy in Hyderabad, Telangana. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000," the PMO said in a post on X.

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Chief Minister Revanth Reddy also expressed shock over the incident and directed senior officials to take all necessary measures to rescue those trapped in the building.