“We risked our lives”: Fire dept defends response in Gulzar Houz blaze that killed 17

Hyderabad: In response to allegations of delay and negligence in the tragic Gulzar House fire that claimed 17 lives on May 18, the Telangana State Fire Department has firmly defended its actions, stating that firefighters responded within minutes of receiving the emergency call.

Speaking to the media, District Fire Officer (DFO) Venkanna briefed the timeline details of the rescue operation, highlighting the speed and dedication of the firefighting teams amid chaotic and life-threatening conditions. “We received the call and reached the spot within one and a half minutes,” said DFO Venkanna. “Our fire engines are always ready with advanced fire fighting equipment and 4,500 liters of water.”

Swift arrival, strategic action

According to Venkanna, the first priority was to control the heavy flames and dense smoke that had engulfed the building. “Only after we subdued the fire to some extent could we go inside and attempt to rescue the trapped individuals,” he said.

Multiple teams of firefighters entered the building from various points. Some teams accessed the structure from the rooftop using ladders, while others entered from openings created by breaking through walls at the front and rear of the building.

“There was no direct entry possible due to the intensity of the fire and the layout of the building,” he added. “Locals broke down walls from the front and back, which helped in creating access points.”

Timeline of Events (Based on CCTV Footage)

6:04 am – Victim Santosh Gupta is seen exiting the building.

6:09 am – Large plumes of smoke start to emerge.

6:16 am – First fire engine arrives at the location.

6:16:20 am – Firefighting operations begin within 20 seconds of arrival.

Elaborating further, the DFO said that a large crowd had already gathered, creating a chaotic scene. A constable from the nearby Charminar area, who happened to be passing by, attempted to enter the building upon seeing Santosh Gupta but was forced back due to overwhelming smoke. “Within 3 minutes, a second fire engine arrived, and both units began water pumping operations. Fire personnel used ladders to reach the roof and entered the building to tackle the fire from the top,” he said.

“We put our lives at risk”

DFO Venkanna emphasized that the rescue operation was conducted under extremely risky conditions. “We put our lives on the line during the rescue operation. The thick smoke and spreading flames made it difficult, but our teams acted without hesitation.” He added that the entire operation was carried out with utmost urgency and professionalism, contradicting allegations of negligence.

Denial of negligence allegations

“There was no negligence from our department. We did everything we could, as quickly as possible, to save lives,” Venkanna said. “This incident has deeply saddened us. Losing 17 lives is heartbreaking. We are committed to saving lives every single day.”

The department reiterated that it acted swiftly and in line with standard emergency protocols. Officials also confirmed that an internal review is underway, and any further support needed for affected families would be coordinated with local authorities.

Ongoing investigation

While the immediate fire was brought under control and rescue operations completed, the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation. Forensic and fire safety teams are expected to release a report soon.