Devastating Fire in Hyderabad Claims 17 Lives, PM Modi Expresses Condolences
Tragedy Strikes Hyderabad: Deadly Fire in Gulzar House
A devastating fire ripped through a two-story building at Gulzar House near Hyderabad’s iconic Charminar landmark early Sunday morning, claiming the lives of at least 17 people, including eight children. The blaze, which erupted at 6:16 am, trapped residents inside the building, making rescue efforts challenging.
Victims Identified, Condolences Pour in
The deceased have been identified as Prahlad (70), 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). Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, offering condolences to the families of the victims and praying for the speedy recovery of those injured.
PM Announces Compensation, Rescue Efforts Underway
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for each of the deceased’s families. Injured individuals will receive ₹50,000 each. Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy also expressed shock over the incident, directing officials to provide all necessary support for rescue operations and medical treatment.
Investigation Launched, Cause of Fire Unknown
Firefighters battled for two hours to bring the blaze under control, utilizing advanced firefighting equipment like the Advanced Fire Robot and Bronto Skylift hydraulic platform. Eleven fire vehicles, an autonomous firefighting robot, 17 fire officers, and 70 personnel participated in the rescue and firefighting efforts.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and the extent of the property damage is yet to be determined. Local reports indicate that the victims were taken to Yashoda Hospitals Malakpet, where four children are among the deceased.
Recent Fire Incidents Raise Concerns
This tragedy follows another fire incident in Hyderabad just a few days earlier, on May 14, where a three-story building in Begum Bazar caught fire. Fortunately, firefighters rescued a woman from that blaze. Also on May 15, a bus fire in Uttar Pradesh claimed five lives, highlighting the importance of fire safety measures and need for vigilance.
