Hyderabad witnessed two fire incidents on Sunday, May 18, 2025, one of which claimed 17 lives near Charminar and another, just hours later and eight kilometers away in Mailardevpally, saw a miraculous escape of 50 residents.
The first fire, a devastating blaze near Gulzar Houz, close to the iconic Charminar, resulted in the death of 17 people, including eight children. The fire broke out at approximately 6:00 AM in a building in Gulzar Houz. Preliminary investigations suggest that a short circuit in a pearl shop on the ground floor ignited the fire, which quickly spread through the building. The narrow entrances and a single, constricted staircase made escape incredibly difficult, contributing to the high number of fatalities. Many of the victims died due to smoke inhalation, as the building quickly filled with thick, toxic fumes. Firefighters had to break through walls to create additional entry points and ventilate the building.
Just an hour after the tragedy near Charminar, another fire erupted in Mailardevpally, within the Mughal Colony of Udamgadda, around 7:18 AM. This fire broke out in a G+3 floor building with a penthouse, housing approximately 10-15 families. Fortunately, all 50 residents, including 13 children, managed to escape without injuries. The fire in Mailardevpally was also attributed to an electrical short circuit on the ground floor, where motor pumps, defunct bicycles, and waste materials were stored, fueling the flames. Firefighters from the Chandrayangutta station responded swiftly to the alert and contained the fire within 90 minutes. Assistant District Fire Officer Md Rafi noted that the timing of the fire was crucial; had it occurred earlier while residents were still asleep, the outcome could have been similar to the Gulzar Houz tragedy. Alerted by the rapidly spreading smoke, residents rushed to the terrace, from where fire service personnel successfully rescued them.
The Hyderabad fire near Charminar prompted immediate responses from both state and national leaders. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep sorrow and announced financial assistance of 200,000 rupees (approximately US$2,300) for the families of the deceased and 50,000 rupees for the injured. Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy also assured that the government is taking all necessary relief measures, including providing speedy and adequate compensation to those affected.
These two incidents highlight the critical importance of fire safety measures in densely populated urban areas. Concerns have been raised regarding building practices, overcrowding, and adherence to safety regulations. Shopkeepers in the Gulzar Houz area pointed to sharp voltage fluctuations as a potential cause and have called on authorities to ensure the safety of locals, noting that there had been three fire incidents in the past week. The Fire Services Department faced challenges during the rescue operations near Charminar due to the building's structural layout, which included a tunnel-like passage, narrow stairs, and a single entry and exit point.
The recent events underscore the need for stricter enforcement of building codes, regular fire safety audits, and public awareness campaigns to prevent such tragedies in the future. It is also essential to equip fire departments with advanced equipment and provide them with adequate training to handle complex rescue operations effectively.
