At least 17 people, including 8 children and four senior citizens , were killed in a huge fire that engulfed a building in Hyderabad’s Gulzar House area, situated near the iconic Charminar, on Sunday morning.
“The fire, which started around 6:30 am, resulted in panic and a wide-scale rescue operation by emergency personnel and all 17 persons shifted to hospitals were brought dead,” said a senior police official .
“ A narrow staircase was the only escape route for the inmates of the building, but they could not rush out; the building housed jewellery shops on the ground floor and people were residing in a flat above as smoke spread, people were suffocated”, the Police said .
Telangana CM Revanth Reddy posted on X, , “ The death of several people in the massive fire accident at Mir Chowk in the old city has caused deep distress. I have instructed officials to intensify rescue operations and ensure the injured receive the best possible medical care.”
“Prima facie cause of the fire is short-circuit in the mains.” Reddy said.
In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed anguish over the loss of lives due to the fire tragedy and announced Rs 2 lakh for the kin of those who died and Rs 50,000 to the injured.
( With PTI inputs )
