HYDERABAD, India — A devastating fire that broke out in a multi-use building near the Charminar monument in Hyderabad killed at least 17 people and left several injured on Sunday. The fire, which authorities say was caused by a short circuit, erupted in a structure that housed a jewelry store on the ground floor and residential apartments above.
Rescue operations began swiftly as several victims were found unconscious and rushed to hospitals across the city. Despite efforts, 17 of those transported in critical condition later died, Telangana fire services chief Y. Nagi Reddy confirmed.
“The staircase was very narrow, making evacuation extremely difficult,” Reddy said. “There was only one exit, which was blocked by the fire. That severely limited chances of escape.”
According to officials, 21 people were inside the three-story structure at the time the fire broke out. The flames started on the ground floor and quickly spread upward, trapping residents in the upper levels.
Federal Minister G. Kishan Reddy, who visited the site of the tragedy, stated that the fire was triggered by an electrical short circuit. “Many people have died due to this accident. It’s heartbreaking,” he said.
Emergency services managed to bring the blaze under control, but not before it consumed much of the building and claimed multiple lives. Local media outlets reported harrowing scenes of rescue workers navigating dense smoke and flames in search of survivors.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief over the loss of life in a post on X (formerly Twitter), saying he was “deeply anguished.” He also announced financial compensation for the families of the deceased.
Fires are tragically common in urban centers across India, often due to non-compliance with building codes, poor infrastructure, and inadequate fire safety measures. This incident, occurring in close proximity to the city’s iconic Charminar monument, has once again spotlighted systemic safety issues in mixed-use buildings.
As investigations continue, city officials are expected to review the building’s fire safety compliance and whether illegal structural modifications may have exacerbated the deadly outcome.
