‘Lives could have been saved': day after fire kills 17 in Hyderabad, KTR asks Telangana govt to focus on emergency readiness

Indian Express

19-05-2025

A day after 17 people, including eight children of a family, were killed in a massive fire at Gulzar House near Charminar in Hyderabad, Bharat Rasthra Samithi (BRS) working president K T Rama Rao blamed the state government's gross negligence for the incident and said many could have been saved.
Visiting the grieving families, KTR urged the government to focus on emergency readiness and appealed it to handover Rs 25 lakh per person as compensation to the next of kin. He emphasised that the incident should serve as a wake-up call for improving basic emergency infrastructure.
Stating that he had no intention to criticise anyone, but was voicing the concerns shared by the victims' families and highlighting the gaps that need urgent attention, KTR said: 'The victims' families told us that fire engines arrived without water, and firefighters couldn't enter the premises due to the lack of proper protective masks. Ambulances too arrived without oxygen cylinders or masks. Had these basic life-saving facilities been available, some lives could have been saved.'
The fire broke out in a jewellery store adjacent to Charminar. According to officials, the blaze originated in the ground floor of the three-storey building which housed the jewellery store. A short circuit is believed to have caused the fire, according to the preliminary investigation.
'This is not about politics, it's about humanity. At a time when Hyderabad witnessed one of its worst fire tragedies, the Chief Minister's presence would have offered solace to grieving families and sent a strong message about the government's commitment to public safety,' he added.
The BRS leader also called on the state to extend support to the Agarwal family to restart their business, which had served the city for over a century.
The former minister stressed that Old City areas like Gulzar House have high population density and narrow lanes, making fire and rescue operations extremely difficult. 'Our officers need regular training and mock drills. Emergency services must be equipped and functional. This is not just a demand—it's a necessity,' he said.
'I didn't come here to blame or politicise. But when summer arrives, the Municipal Administration Department should convene review meetings to assess fire preparedness. That did not happen, and that's unfortunate,' he noted.