Gulzar Houz tragedy: Congress asks Oppn to stop blame game, make Telangana safe from fire mishaps

Hyderabad: The Telangana Congress came out strongly against what it called the ‘insensitive and opportunistic politics’ of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and Bharatiya Janata Party over the Gulzar Houz fire tragedy.

TPCC official spokesperson Syed Nizamuddin accused the opposition parties of ‘doing politics over corpses’ instead of standing with grieving families.

Gulzar Houz tragedy is a wake-up call

Syed Nizamuddin said the time had come to stop blame games and start a people-centric fire safety movement across Telangana. Seventeen lives, including children, were lost in the horrific May 19 fire at a commercial complex in Gulzar Houz. “This is not just a tragedy — it is a wake-up call,” Nizamuddin said. “While the Congress Government under chief minister A Revanth Reddy responded with urgency and compassion, announcing Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia for each of the families of the deceased and extended all support, the BRS and BJP chose to exploit the dead for political mileage,” he said.

He condemned what he described as shameless attempts by opposition leaders to divert attention from the core issue–public safety–by engaging in political mudslinging.

Comprehensive probe launched, says Congress

“They are trying to gain headlines instead of helping Hyderabad heal. This is dangerous, disgraceful and unacceptable,” he said.

Reiterating the Congress government’s commitment to accountability and reform, Nizamuddin said the chief minister had already ordered a comprehensive probe to identify the cause of the fire and prevent future tragedies. A six-member high-level committee has been formed for a comprehensive probe and long-term recommendations to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.

Preventable fires can’t become a routine

“This is not about shifting blame. This is about fixing the system. Fire safety is not a slogan; it is a civic necessity,” he said. The Congress spokesperson stressed that preventable fires cannot be treated as routine accidents. “Every time there is a fire, we hear ‘short circuit’. But what causes them? Who is educating people on what to do? Why are there no preventive steps?” he asked.

Congress calls for widespread fire safety awareness

Nizamuddin called for immediate Statewide fire safety awareness drives in homes, schools, apartments and commercial spaces. He recommended regular electrical audits, controlled use of high-power devices during peak hours, installation of alarms and proper ventilation systems. He also stressed the need for building evacuation awareness, especially in congested localities.

Fire safety wing must have vehicles to navigate narrow lanes

He specifically pointed to the Old City of Hyderabad, where narrow lanes obstruct firefighting operations. “The fire department must be equipped with compact vehicles that can navigate these streets. We cannot have 21st-century fires being tackled with 20th-century tools,” he said.

Fire safety drills in schools

Making a strong pitch for school-level safety education, Nizamuddin urged the inclusion of fire drills in the curriculum and training for children to handle emergencies. “Awareness saves lives. Knowledge is our best defence,” he said, adding that the Congress would soon submit a comprehensive fire safety reform proposal to the government.

Hyderabad made 2,500 fire calls last year

Presenting disturbing data published by the media in the last few days, Nizamuddin said Telangana reported 5,407 fire incidents in just the first five months of 2025 – 50 of them serious and 20 major. Hyderabad alone made over 2,500 fire calls last year, and over 450 this year, mostly due to electrical faults.

He listed recent tragedies, including fires in Begum Bazaar, Chandanagar, Puppalaguda, Pasha Colony, Yakutpura, Jiyaguda, Bazaarghat and Swapnalok Complex. “Each case was marked by delay in response and lack of preparedness. These are not coincidences. These are warnings,” he said.

“This is not the time to point fingers. This is the time to fix the system. Stop the drama. Start the reform. Let’s not trade lives for headlines. Let’s build a safer Telangana,” Nizamuddin said.