A devastating fire near Hyderabad's iconic Charminar claimed the lives of 17 people, including eight children, early Sunday morning, May 18, 2025. The blaze broke out in a building in the Gulzar Houz area, a densely packed commercial-cum-residential hub known for its jewellery shops. The victims belonged to an extended family of jewellers who resided in the building.
The fire, suspected to have been triggered by a short circuit on the ground floor where the jewellery shops were located, rapidly spread to the upper floors of the three-story structure. An air conditioner compressor explosion further fueled the flames, trapping residents inside. The narrow staircase, the only escape route, became a bottleneck, hindering the residents' ability to evacuate quickly. Thick smoke quickly engulfed the building, leading to suffocation and loss of consciousness for many.
Emergency services received a distress call around 6:16 AM, and fire engines were dispatched from nearby fire stations. However, firefighters faced significant challenges in accessing the site due to the narrow lanes and congested nature of the Gulzar Houz area. Firefighters had to climb on adjacent buildings to combat the fire. The lack of proper access hampered rescue efforts and contributed to the tragic loss of life. Some reports indicate that initial equipment was lacking, further delaying effective intervention.
Eyewitnesses recounted the horrifying scene, describing how local residents attempted to break through the shutters and walls of the building to rescue those trapped inside. Videos circulating online showed family members being brought out on bedsheets and stretchers.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire and assess potential safety lapses. Preliminary reports suggest that a short circuit may have been the primary trigger, but a thorough investigation is underway. AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi noted that the family had been residing in the building for approximately 125 years, highlighting the long-standing presence of the family in the area.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his anguish over the tragedy and announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy also expressed shock and directed officials to provide necessary assistance to the victims' families. Telangana State Disaster Response and Fire Services Director General Y Nagi Reddy stated that most deaths occurred due to asphyxiation and fumes.
The incident has raised concerns about fire safety standards in the densely populated areas of Hyderabad's old city. Local leaders and community members have called for improved emergency infrastructure, stricter enforcement of building codes, and regular fire safety audits to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The narrow entrances to the building have been cited as a major contributing factor to the high death toll. The incident underscores the urgent need for better urban planning and disaster preparedness measures in historic and congested areas.
