An inferno sparked by a short circuit tore through a mixed-use building near Charminar, trapping residents inside due to blocked exits and narrow stairwells, leaving 17 dead and dozens critically injured.
BY PC Bureau
The devastating fire that tore through a building at Gulzar House near Hyderabad’s historic Charminar early this morning, killing at least 17 people and injuring over 30 others, was triggered by an electrical short circuit
.The blaze, one of the city’s deadliest in recent years, has exposed critical gaps in fire safety measures in densely packed urban areas.
The fire broke out around 6:00 AM in a pearl shop on the ground floor, rapidly spreading to the residential floors above due to flammable materials, according to Union Minister and Telangana BJP chief G. Kishan Reddy, who visited the site. Telangana Minister Ponnam Prabhakar confirmed that fire services responded by 6:16 AM, deploying 11 fire engines to combat the inferno. However, thick black smoke and the building’s narrow structure complicated rescue efforts.
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Preliminary investigations point to a short circuit as the cause, with the fire’s intensity fueled by combustible items in the shop. A Fire Department official highlighted the building’s two narrow entrances—a tight stairwell for one person and a slightly wider passage for three—as major obstacles. “Closed shutters and heavy smoke delayed access, and the lack of escape routes to the terrace trapped many inside,” the official said.
The 17 victims succumbed to severe burns, smoke inhalation, and suffocation. Rescue teams rushed unconscious survivors to hospitals, including Yashoda Malakpet (8 bodies), Apollo Hyderguda (5), Apollo DRDO (2), Osmania General Hospital (1), and Care Nampally (1). Over 30 injured individuals are receiving treatment, with several in critical condition.
Gulzar House fire accident | 17 reportedly lost their lives after fire broke out due to short circuit early this morning. Here are some visuals@NewIndianXpress #Hyderabad #Charminar pic.twitter.com/CFELsIjekJ
— TNIE Telangana (@XpressHyderabad) May 18, 2025
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed grief and ordered comprehensive rescue and relief operations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs. 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the kin of each deceased victim. The Telangana Fire Disaster Response Emergency & Civil Defence, alongside HYDRAA and local police, is probing the incident, focusing on fire safety compliance and structural issues.
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Hyderabad has seen a surge in fire incidents, with over 2,500 cases in 2024 causing Rs. 822 crore in damages and over 200 deaths statewide. The Old City’s narrow lanes and aging infrastructure, as seen in a February 2025 fire in Dewan Devdi market, remain high-risk. Today’s tragedy has prompted local businesses to shutter in solidarity and sparked calls for stricter fire safety regulations.
As the city mourns, authorities face mounting pressure to overhaul urban fire safety protocols. A detailed report on the Gulzar House fire is expected soon, with recommendations to prevent future tragedies.
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