Hyderabad – A devastating fire broke out early Sunday morning at Gulzar House near Charminar, claiming 17 lives and leaving around 10 others injured. The tragic incident occurred at the Srikrishna Pearls building, which housed a pearl trader’s shop on the ground floor and residential units on the first floor.
Key Details of the Incident:
- Casualties and Injuries:
- Among the deceased were two children and four women.
- The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals, including Osmania, Yashoda Malakpet, Apollo DRDO, and Apollo Hyderguda.
- Rescue Operations:
- Eleven fire tenders were deployed to control the blaze.
- Firefighters rescued several people trapped in the congested building, but thick smoke caused many to fall unconscious.
- Victims Identified:
- The deceased included Prahlad (70), Munni (70), Rajendar Modi (65), Sumitra (60), and several children aged between 1.5 and 7 years.
- Cause of the Fire:
- The exact cause of the fire remains unknown, according to fire officials.
Allegations of Delayed Emergency Response:
Relatives of the victims alleged that ambulances arrived late and lacked essential equipment like oxygen masks. One family member stated, “Sixteen members of my family died. A six-year-old girl could have been saved if the ambulance had arrived on time.”
Government and Public Reactions:
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed shock and directed officials to provide the best possible treatment to the injured. He also stayed in touch with police and fire services for updates. Charminar MLA Mir Zulfiqar Ali visited the site and spoke to officials. Congress MP Anil Kumar Yadav faced criticism from victims’ families during his visit to Osmania General Hospital.
