Hyderabad — May 18th, 2025 In a horrific event that has rocked the city an enormous fire erupted close to Charminar near Charminar Hyderabad late Friday night killing 17 people which included six children. The blaze erupted in a multi-storey commercial-cum-residential building, trapping several families inside as flames rapidly engulfed the structure.
Firefighters from emergency services battled the blaze for several hours until the fire was put under control the damage was already catastrophic.
Fire Breaks Out During the Night
Based on initial news reports, fire erupted at around 11:45 pm at the top of a structure which was home to an warehouse containing inflammable material such as plastic and chemicals. The residents, who were asleep, had no time to respond.
Eyewitnesses reported scenes of terror and screaming as well as desperate attempts to flee as the flames began to spread.
“We heard shouting from the upper floors. A few tried to leap into the ground using sheets,” said Mohammed Irfan who is a local shopkeeper who lives close by. “It was a nightmare.”
Children Among the Dead
The 17 victims included six children between the ages of 3 and 11 Many of them were part of the same family who resided at the top of the buildings. More than twenty-five people have been taken away and a number are receiving treatment for serious burneds as well as smoke inhalation within the Osmania General Hospital.
Cause Under Investigation
The Hyderabad Fire Department and forensic teams have started investigations to find out the exact reason for the fire. The preliminary findings suggest an electrical electrical short that ignited the dangerous stock kept in the building illegally.
Authorities have also expressed concern about the absence of fire security measures within the structurethere are no emergency exits, no fire extinguishers and there is no fire NOC (No Opinion Certificate).
“This tragedy could have been prevented,” said an official from the fire department. “These buildings are ticking time bombs in the heart of the old city.”
Political Leaders React
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy expressed his deep sadness and has called for an an inquiry by the judiciary regarding the incident. Revanth Reddy also announced the payment of an ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh for each family member of the victims.
“This is a dark day for Hyderabad,” the CM stated. “We will ensure strict action against those who neglected safety regulations.”
Other leaders such as Premier Narendra Modi expressed condolences, and called for better security for firefighters in cities across the nation.
Tension and Grief in the Community
The Charminar region, renowned for its large population and historic architecture, is mourning. Local organizations and volunteers have stepped up to assist families affected and rescue efforts continued into the early hours of the next morning.
The teams of the city’s disaster response and police officers remained on the scene until the next day, sifting through the debris to make sure that no one was not left behind.
Final Word
The devastating fire has once revealed the urgent need for more strict building rules particularly in the dense heritage areas such as Old Hyderabad. As families grieve their beloved loved ones, the city has to consider: How many more lives are lost before safety is a priority?
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