One of the most recent and worst Hyderabad fire tragedies, an enormous fire in a mixed complex building in Gulzar Houz took the lives of at least 17 people. The fire, which started around 5:30 am when the majority of the residents were asleep, spread rapidly from the ground floor, which was reportedly used for commercial activities, to the remaining building. Thick smoke filled the building, resulting in fatal asphyxiation for numerous residents, initial reports by the fire department suggested.
Ten injured residents were taken to surrounding medical centers such as DRDO Hospital, Osmania General Hospital, and a private hospital. The fire started in a pearl shop on the ground floor which also had a family dwelling on the first floor.
Union Minister and BJP president of Telangana G Kishan Reddy explained that a short circuit was the reason behind the fire. “It has resulted in many deaths in the accident. A few are injured. I am not accusing anyone, but as Hyderabad is a fast-growing city, the police, municipal, fire, and electricity departments have to be strengthened,” he said.
The fire has happened only a few days after a fire erupted in Begum Bazar, just 2 km from Gulzar Houz. Fortunately, all eight of the residents in that instance were able to get out safely.
For putting out the blaze, 11 tenders of different stations such as Langar Houz, Moghalpura, Gowliguda, Rajendra Nagar, Gandhi Outpost, and Salarjung Museum were dispatched. Two rescue tenders, a Bronto Skylift, three water tenders, and a firefighting robot also took part in the operation. Emergency teams are still present on the site as the investigation into the origins of the fire is ongoing.
