Key Highlights:
- Fire broke out early Sunday in a mixed-use building near Gulzar Houz, Charminar.
- 17 people, including 8 children, lost their lives — all reportedly from one family.
- Officials suspect flammable chemicals stored in the basement sparked the blaze.
- PM Modi expressed grief and announced ex-gratia compensation for victims’ families.
A deadly fire tore through a multi-story building in Hyderabad’s old city area near Gulzar Houz, close to the iconic Charminar, in the early hours of Sunday. The tragedy claimed 17 lives, including eight children, leaving a city in mourning and a nation demanding answers. According to preliminary reports, the blaze started in the basement of the building and quickly spread upwards, trapping residents as they slept.
A Family Wiped Out
All the deceased were reportedly members of a single extended family that lived in the residential part of the mixed-use building. Neighbors and eyewitnesses recounted heart-wrenching scenes of panic and helplessness. In one instance, rescuers found a mother clutching her children, all victims of smoke inhalation and severe burns.
Emergency response teams were on the scene within minutes, but the combination of flammable materials, narrow access lanes, and dense smoke severely hampered rescue efforts. Firefighters battled the blaze for hours before it was brought under control.
Cause of Fire: Hazardous Storage Under Scrutiny
Initial investigations point to oil drums and flammable chemicals stored illegally in the building’s basement as the likely cause of the fire. Authorities now suspect that the basement was being used for commercial purposes in violation of zoning and fire safety norms. The exact nature of the stored substances is still being verified, but officials confirmed that the items present significantly worsened the fire’s intensity.
“The presence of hazardous materials in a residential building is a recipe for disaster,” said a senior official from the fire department. “There was no fire exit, no ventilation, and no clear escape route.”
Public Outrage and Safety Concerns
The incident has triggered widespread public outrage. Citizens, urban planners, and activists are questioning how such dangerous storage was allowed in a densely populated area. Many are now demanding stricter enforcement of fire safety regulations in mixed-use buildings, particularly in older parts of the city where residential and commercial activities often overlap.
Urban safety expert Dr. Ramesh Kulkarni commented, “This is not an isolated case. Across many Indian cities, there is poor enforcement of building codes. This tragedy is a painful reminder of what can happen when regulations are ignored.”
Official Response
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences via social media and announced ex-gratia compensation: ₹2 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. Telangana Chief Minister also visited the site and assured a thorough investigation.
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has initiated a probe, while police have registered a case under sections related to negligence and culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Arrests may follow once ownership and accountability are established.
Hyderabad in Mourning
Flags were flown at half-mast across government buildings, and local leaders observed a moment of silence during public events. Candlelight vigils have been held, and social media is filled with messages of grief, anger, and support for the victims’ relatives.
A Call for Change
This horrific incident has reignited conversations around urban fire preparedness, illegal commercial storage, and the pressing need for safety audits in high-risk zones across Hyderabad and other densely populated Indian cities. While investigations continue, citizens are demanding stronger enforcement of building codes, regular inspections, and swift accountability from those responsible. The city is left asking a painful question: How many more lives must be lost before real action is taken and meaningful reforms are enforced to prevent such tragedies in the future?
<p>The post What Sparked The Devastating Fire that Annihilated 17 People? first appeared on toplivenews.com.</p>
