Hyderabad news: 17, including 8 children, killed in fire at Gulzar House near Charminar today, PM Modi condoles deaths

A fire broke out in a two-storey building at Gulzar House near Charminar in Hyderabad today at 6.16 am on May 18, according to an official statement from Telangana fire department. At least 17 people have been killed in the fire, including eight children, it added.

The deceased have been identified as Prahlad (70-years-old), Munni (70), Rajendar Modi (65), Sumitra (60), Hamey (7), Sheetal (35), Priyansh (4), Iraaj (2), Arushi (3), Rishabh (4), Pratham (1.5), Anuyan (3), Varsha (35), Pankaj (36), Rajini (32), and Iddu (4).

The report added that rescue efforts were hindered by access constraints. “It took a total of 02 hours to extinguish the fire. The officers and personnel worked hard to rescue the trapped persons, extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading,” it added.

PM Modi, CM Reddy Condole Deaths

Sharing his condolences, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy expressed shock over the incident and directed senior officials to take all necessary measures to rescue those trapped in the building.

Further, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed condolences on the deaths. In a statement from the PM's Office on X (formerly Twitter), he said: “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. (sic)”

Further, the PMO announced compensation of ₹2 lakh ex-gratia from the Prime Minister Natural Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given ₹50,000, it added.

Hyderabad Fire: What We Know So Far…

• The official told ANI that 11 fire vehicles reached the spot to bring the blaze under control. The cause of the fire which broke out early on Sunday, is yet unknown, as per the report.
• A fire department official told PTI that they receieved a call about the blaze at 6.30 am and rushed to the spot. Several people were found unconscious and shifted to various hospitals.
• Speaking to reporters after a site visit, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy confirmed that eight people were killed and said that the deceased include some children.
• According to the police statement, Advanced Fire Robot and Bronto Skylift hydraulic platform were used in the operations. 
• It added that a total of 11 vehicles, one fire fighting robot, 17 fire officers and 70 personnel were involved in extinguishing the fire and rescuing trapped persons. 
• According to local reports, the deceased were brought to Yashoda Hospitals Malakpet and include four children.
• An AIMIM legislator told reporters that around 20 people were taken to hospitals, PTI report added.
• An official release from the CM's Office said directions were issued to immediately shift the injured to hospitals and ensure proper medical treatment. 
• The suspected cause of the fire is under investigation, and the value of the property damaged is yet to be ascertained, police added.

Fire near Charminar in Hyderabad: 8 dead, 11 fire tenders called | Watch

Visuals from the site showed billowing black clouds of smoke, the ANI report said, adding that operations are underway in the morning to douse the fire.

Notably, in another incident on May 14, a massive fire broke out in a three-storey building in the Begum Bazar of Hyderabad. Firefighting personnel who arrived on the spot upon receiving information rescued a woman.

Fire Incidents: Uttar Pradesh Bus Fire

On May 15, five people (two women, two children, and a man), lost their lives when a private bus caught fire in the Mohanlalganj area, PTI reported citing police. The incident took place around 5 am on Kisan Path, a key highway located on the outskirts of Lucknow. PTI reported citing sources stated that the bus had 80 passengers onboard at the time of incident.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Mohanlalganj) Rajneesh Verma said the bus was en route to Delhi from Begusarai in Bihar when it suddenly caught fire. “Initial investigation suggests that the fire may have started due to a short circuit in the bus' gearbox,” Verma told PTI.

According to the police, most of the passengers were asleep when the fire started and spread rapidly. The deceased were unable to get out in time, and several other passengers sustained injuries.

Police discovered that the bus's emergency exit door malfunctioned, trapping passengers seated at the rear of the vehicle. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the precise cause of the fire.

(With inputs from ANI, PTI)