Eight children among 17 killed in Hyderabad building fire

Firefighters carry out rescue and relief work. Pic/PTI

A blaze triggered by a suspected short circuit in a building near the iconic Charminar on Sunday left 17 people dead, including eight children. The fire broke out at a building in Gulzar House.

"All 17 who were shifted to hospitals were brought dead," a senior police officer said.

The building housed jewellery shops on the ground floor and people were residing in a flat above, police said adding smoke spread and people suffocated. Telangana State Disaster Response and Fire Services Director General Y Nagi Reddy, who inspected the spot, told reporters that the fire accident was reported between 6 am and 6.15 am.

There was a call to the fire department at 6.16 am and the fire engine was turned out at 6.17 am, he said.

Addressing reporters after visiting the spot, Hyderabad District in-charge and Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said a short circuit caused the fire.

"We will order an inquiry into the fire accident. There is no conspiracy angle in it..." he said.

Access to the site has been restricted, police said, adding a case has been registered.

Kharge, Rahul condole deaths

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday spoke with the Telangana chief minister and assured that the government is taking all necessary relief measures, including providing speedy and adequate compensation to those affected. Kharge also urged Congress workers to rally around the affected families and offer any assistance they can.

"I am deeply saddened by the devastating fire tragedy in the Charminar area of Hyderabad, which has claimed several precious lives. My heartfelt condolences go out to the families of the victims during this difficult time," Kharge said.

In a Facebook post in Hindi, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi said the news of several people being killed and injured in a massive fire in Hyderabad is extremely saddening.

PM Modi expresses grief

In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed anguish and announced R2 lakh for the kin of those who died and R50,000 to the injured.

"Deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to a fire tragedy in Hyderabad, Telangana. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones," the PM said.

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy expressed shock over the incident and directed senior officials to take all necessary measures to rescue those trapped in the building.

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