17 Dead in Hyderabad’s Charminar Area Fire: Safety Failures Under Scrutiny
A devastating fire near Hyderabad’s iconic Charminar has left at least 17 people dead, sparking urgent questions about India’s fire safety infrastructure. The blaze, which erupted in the Gulzar House commercial-cum-residential building on May 18, 2025, is suspected to have been caused by a short circuit, though authorities are conducting a full investigation.
Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy highlighted a critical issue: “Firefighters lacked proper equipment at the scene,” raising concerns about emergency preparedness in densely populated urban areas. Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has ordered a review of fire safety protocols, vowing to “prevent such tragedies in the future.”
Key Details:
- Cause: Short circuit suspected; official probe ongoing.
- Response: ₹2 lakh ex-gratia for families of the deceased; ₹50,000 for the injured.
- Safety Debates: Critics warn of outdated building codes in historic areas like Charminar.
