Gulzar House fire: Deputy CM announces Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia for families of deceased

Hyderabad: Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu expressed deep grief over the death of 17 people in the Gulzar House fire incident and announced ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the deceased. He made the announcement while speaking to the media at the Osmania mortuary.

The Deputy CM rushed from Madhira in Khammam district to Osmania Hospital to review the situation. He and other ministers visited the families of the victims at the mortuary and conveyed heartfelt condolences and sympathies.

They also sought details of the incident from Hyderabad Police Commissioner CV Anand, GHMC Commissioner Karnan, and Fire Services DG Y Nagi Reddy. The Deputy Chief Minister visited the site of the fire accident at Gulzar House in the Old City.

He assured that the State government would stand by the affected families in all possible ways. The Deputy CM termed the death of 17 people in the early morning fire near Gulzar House in Hyderabad’s Old City as extremely unfortunate. He stated that chief minister Revanth Reddy and the entire Cabinet were deeply pained by the incident.

Upon learning of the incident, CM Revanth Reddy responded immediately and coordinated with ministers and officials over the phone, giving instructions for prompt firefighting and rescue operations, which he monitored minute by minute.

Hyderabad in-charge Minister Ponnam Prabhakar rushed to the site as soon as he was informed about the fire and monitored the situation on the ground. Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha reached Osmania Hospital and ensured that the injured received proper medical treatment.

What caused the fire?

According to a preliminary investigation, the fire appears to have been caused by a short circuit.

The Fire Department received a call about the incident at 6:16 am, and a fire engine from Moghalpura was dispatched at 6:17 am, reaching the site by 6:20 am and started operations.

The Fire Department rescued 17 trapped individuals and shifted them to the hospital. A total of 12 vehicles were deployed in the rescue operation, including 11 fire engines and one firefighting robot. The operation involved 17 fire officials and 70 personnel, who worked to control the spread of the fire.

One firefighter fell seriously ill while extinguishing the fire and is currently receiving treatment in the hospital.”

The deputy CM also mentioned that the State government has taken previous fire incidents seriously and has discussed necessary preventive measures two to three times in the State Cabinet to avoid such tragedies in the future.

We will take all necessary steps to ensure such incidents do not recur at Gulzar House, the deputy CM said. A meeting will be conducted in two to three days to implement preventive measures against such incidents.

The deputy CM said, “The fire personnel responded within three minutes. All departments acted in coordination. The Fire Department received a call about the incident at 6:17 am, and by 6:20 am, the firefighters began extinguishing the flames. Measures were taken to prevent the fire from spreading to other areas.”