Hyderabad Fire LIVE Updates: At Least 17 Dead in Blaze Near Charminar

At least 17 people lost their lives in a devastating fire that broke out early Sunday morning in a commercial-residential building near Gulzar Houz, close to the iconic Charminar in Hyderabad’s Old City.

Emergency responders received the first alert around 6:30 a.m., according to fire department officials. Firefighters and rescue teams rushed to the scene and began evacuation and firefighting operations. Several individuals were found unconscious inside the building and were immediately shifted to nearby hospitals.

Preliminary reports suggest that the building had two critical access points: a narrow entrance leading to a first-floor residence and a wider one to an enclosed shopping area. The limited access is believed to have significantly hampered rescue efforts and contributed to the high death toll.

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed deep shock over the tragedy and instructed senior officials to ensure swift rescue operations and medical assistance for the injured. He has also directed a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the fire and the building’s compliance with fire safety norms.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and announced an ex-gratia for the families of the deceased.

Rescue efforts are still underway as firefighters continue to search the premises for any remaining victims or signs of structural damage.