Hyderabad, the city of Nizams and known for its historical heritage, became the victim of a tragic incident. On the morning of 18 May 2025, a horrific fire broke out in the Gulzar House area near Charminar, claiming the lives of 17 people. This incident has come as a warning not only for the victim families but also for the entire city and the country. In this article, we will discuss all the aspects of this incident, including its complete details, causes, effects, government response and what steps can be taken in the future.Charminar
Detailed description of the incident
The incident took place at around 6:30 am when locals saw smoke coming out of a three-storey building. The building was located in a busy area, where a jewellery shop was operating on the ground floor and people were residing on the upper floors. Within minutes of the fire breaking out, the entire building was engulfed in smoke and fire.
Locals said that the fire spread very fast, and people living on the upper floors did not get a chance to escape. As soon as the fire was reported, four fire brigade vehicles reached the spot. After about two hours of hard work, the fire was brought under control, but by then 17 people had died.
17 members of the same family among the dead
The most heartbreaking thing about this accident was that 17 members of the same family were among the dead. These people had come to Hyderabad for a wedding ceremony and were staying in this building. When the fire broke out, everyone was in deep sleep and due to the heavy smoke, they did not get time to understand anything. Hyderabad
An eyewitness said that a mother tried to save her three children by hugging them, but they all got burnt due to smoke and heat. Local residents say that if there was an emergency exit or fire extinguishing equipment in the building, perhaps lives could have been saved.
Cause of fire: Negligence or accident?
Preliminary investigations revealed that the fire broke out due to a short circuit. The wiring of the building was very old and in a dilapidated condition. There was neither any fire safety equipment nor any fire alarm system in the building. Apart from this, there were a lot of blankets, furniture and wooden items inside the building, due to which the fire spread rapidly.
A joint team of the Municipal Corporation and the Fire Department visited the spot and found that the building was not following any kind of fire safety standards. This raises the question on what basis permission is given to run such buildings and why the administration did not inspect it in time.
Government and administration’s response
As soon as the news of the accident spread, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed deep grief and ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident. He directed the officials to provide all possible assistance to the victim families. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled the accident and announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund to the families of the deceased and ₹ 50,000 to the injured.
The Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has taken immediate action and registered a criminal case against the owner of the building. Also, it has been decided to conduct a fire safety audit of other old buildings in the city.
Local people’s resentment and demands
Local residents of Gulzar House area are very angry about this accident. They say that this accident happened due to the negligence of the Municipal Corporation and the Electricity Department. People have demanded that all the old buildings in the city should be inspected and either demolished or allowed to be used only after necessary safety arrangements.
Experts’ opinion
Fire safety experts believe that fire safety is not taken seriously during building construction in most cities of India. Many buildings do not have necessary arrangements like fire alarm, smoke detector, sprinkler system. Due to narrow streets in old cities, it becomes difficult for fire engines to reach. Hyderabad
Future direction: What measures should be taken
- Strict rules and enforcement: All state governments must strictly enforce building construction and fire safety rules. Licenses should be given only to those buildings that follow all safety standards.
- Regular inspection: The Municipal Corporation should inspect all commercial and residential buildings every 6 months.
- Fire drills and awareness: People should be trained to prevent fire accidents and fire drills should be conducted in schools, colleges and offices from time to time.
- Emergency evacuation routes: Every building should have at least two emergency evacuation routes. Also, instructions should be clearly written near stairs and elevators.
- Use of technology: Smart fire alarm systems, automatic sprinklers and fire monitoring cameras should be installed compulsorily in every big building.
Conclusion This fire incident in Hyderabad is a tragic incident, but we need to learn a lesson from it. It is a warning of how ignoring safety can turn into a big tragedy. The government, administration and citizens have to work together so that such incidents do not recur in the future. Hyderabad
Safety is not just an option, but an imperative. We must ensure that every citizen can live a safe life, and for this concrete steps need to be taken.
Tribute to all those who lost their lives in this accident and condolences to their families. It is the responsibility of all of us to ensure the safety of the buildings around us and raise our voice when needed. Only then can we build a safe society. Hyderabad
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