17 Killed Near Charminar In Hyderabad’s Deadliest Fire
On Sunday, Hyderabad witnessed its worst fire disaster in recent years, as a tragic blaze engulfed a building near the iconic Charminar, claiming 17 lives, including eight children. The fire, reportedly triggered by a short-circuit, broke out in a G+2 building located in Gulzar Houz, a bustling commercial hub. The incident has once again raised concerns over inadequate fire safety measures in multi-storey buildings and the persistent failure to enforce safety norms, despite repeated assurances from authorities after similar incidents.
The Tragic Incident
The fire erupted early on Sunday morning in the commercial-cum-residential building, which housed shops on the ground floor and families on the upper floors. The swift spread of the blaze left residents trapped, resulting in a heartbreaking loss of life. The tragedy unfolded just two days after another fire broke out in a G+3 building in the nearby commercial area of Afzalgunj. Fortunately, in that incident, firefighters managed to rescue eight people, including an infant, trapped on the upper floors. An electrical short-circuit was also suspected in this earlier fire.
Recurring Fire Accidents in Hyderabad and Secunderabad
This tragic incident is the latest in a series of fire accidents that have plagued Hyderabad, Secunderabad, and their surrounding suburbs over the past few years. Despite public outcry and government promises, fire safety violations continue to be rampant, particularly in commercial establishments set up in residential buildings.
In July last year, a devastating fire broke out in Jiyaguda, where a 10-year-old girl lost her life, and five others sustained injuries. The blaze, which started in a ground-floor furniture warehouse, quickly spread to the upper floors. In November 2023, another major fire in Nampally claimed 10 lives and injured 12 others. The fire originated from a ground-floor chemical storage area used for making air cooler fibre bodies, trapping six families residing on the upper floors.
A major fire broke out in #Gulzar House near #Charminar #Hyderabad
17 people lost their life and many are critically injured.
Cause of the fire is unknown and is under investigation. pic.twitter.com/vyhvut3Bzw
— Neetu Khandelwal (@T_Investor_) May 18, 2025
Similarly, in March 2023, the Swapnalok Complex fire in Secunderabad killed six people, including four women, due to suffocation from heavy smoke after the fire broke out on the fifth floor. In another tragic event in January 2023, three workers perished in a fire that consumed a garment store on Nallagutta, Ministers Road, Secunderabad. The fire burned for two days, weakening the structure, which was subsequently demolished.
E-Bike Showroom Explosion and Migrant Workers’ Tragedy
In September 2022, an explosion in an e-bike showroom located in the basement of a five-storey building near the Passport Office in Secunderabad led to a fire that engulfed the Ruby Pride Luxury Hotel, killing eight people and injuring nine others. Earlier, in March 2022, a scrap warehouse fire in Secunderabad resulted in the death of 11 migrant workers from Bihar, who were asleep on the first floor when the fire erupted from the ground floor storage area.
Government Promises and Continued Violations
Following these tragic incidents, the then BRS government had instructed officials to take stringent action against unauthorized commercial activities in residential areas and the violation of fire safety norms. However, the recurrence of such accidents highlights the lack of effective implementation and monitoring.
Political Reactions and Calls for Accountability
After Sunday’s incident, political leaders visited the site, demanding strict measures to prevent similar tragedies. Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy, representing Secunderabad, urged coordinated efforts from the police, fire services, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), and the electricity department to enforce fire safety regulations strictly. The state government has announced an inquiry into the incident, aiming to identify lapses and implement corrective measures.
A Wake-Up Call
The deadly fire near Charminar serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for stricter fire safety protocols and vigilant enforcement. As Hyderabad continues to grow, ensuring the safety of its residents and enforcing regulations in commercial and residential buildings must become a priority to prevent such heart-wrenching disasters in the future.
