Fire mishaps in Telangana claim 163 lives, cause Rs 879 crore loss; loose, faulty wiring biggest culprit

Hyderabad: Telangana recorded as many as 8,861 fire accidents, leading to the death of 163 people and causing property damage estimated at Rs 879 crore, Minister for Transport Ponnam Prabhakar informed the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday.

Responding to questions from members during a discussion on the Fire Services Department, the Minister said the government is taking comprehensive measures to strengthen fire safety infrastructure, expand emergency response capacity and increase public awareness to prevent fire-related tragedies.

Electrical safety a major concern

Cautioning citizens, Prabhakar said loose and faulty electrical wiring continues to be a major cause of fire accidents.

He urged the public to exercise caution, follow safety norms and remain vigilant to prevent avoidable mishaps.

Tragic incidents underscore safety gaps

Highlighting the seriousness of the issue, the Minister referred to major fire mishaps, including the Sigachi fire accident near Sangareddy and the Charminar fire tragedy, in which 17 members of a single family lost their lives.

These incidents, he said, underline the urgent need for stricter safety compliance and preparedness.

Fire services network expanded

Prabhakar informed the House that the State currently has:

- 138 fire stations

- 9 fire outposts

- 544 fire safety vehicles

To improve emergency coverage, the government has established 58 new fire stations in recent years, especially in fast-growing and underserved regions.

New fire stations across key locations

The newly established fire stations are located in Cherial, Devarakadra, Kallur, Gundala, Both, Konkacherla, Rudrangi, Jayanath Mandal Headquarters, Bayyaram, Toopran, Pashamylaram, Jinnaram, Bibinagar, Uppal Bhagayath, Bachupally and Ghatkesar, among other areas.

Upgradation of existing fire stations

In addition to expansion, several fire stations have been upgraded to higher operational levels. Stations in Gowlipura, Secunderabad, Old Maredpally, Khairatabad and Miyapur have been strengthened with enhanced facilities and equipment to meet rising urban demands.

Focus on high-rise fire safety

With the rapid increase in high-rise buildings ranging from 18 to 104 storeys, the Minister said specialised firefighting machinery and advanced rescue equipment suitable for tall structures are currently in the procurement process.

13,658 fire safety awareness programmes held

To reduce fire accidents, the Fire Services Department has conducted as many as 13,658 fire safety awareness programmes across the State.

These initiatives covered gated communities, hospitals, industries and educational institutions, focusing on fire prevention and emergency response training.

Recruitment and capacity building

The Minister assured the House that steps are being taken to ensure the timely recruitment of fire safety personnel, with no administrative hurdles in the appointment process, to strengthen manpower at fire stations.