Hyderabad: In a significant development following the devastating fire at a residence in Gulzar Houz, Hyderabad, officials have confirmed that gross negligence by the house owner and local electricity authorities led to the deaths of 17 individuals.
Initial suspicions pointed to an air conditioner explosion as the cause of the fire, but subsequent investigations revealed that an electrical short circuit triggered the blaze. Director General of Fire Services Nagi Reddy disclosed that the absence of fire safety measures—particularly a fire exit—and the use of flammable wooden panels exacerbated the situation.
“The building had only one wide entrance and was tightly packed inside. The staircase was not up to standard, and most of the victims were asleep when the incident occurred. They were unable to escape in time, and the damage was done before they could react,” said Nagi Reddy.
He added that due to the lack of proper ventilation, victims suffered severe suffocation. Three people died instantly due to asphyxiation, while 14 others passed away while undergoing treatment at nearby hospitals. The deceased include four women, four children, and nine men.
A detailed inspection by fire officials confirmed that the blaze was not caused by an AC compressor explosion but by a short circuit—something locals stated had occurred regularly at the premises. Officials also highlighted that the house lacked fire safety compliance. Although it appeared externally to be a G+1 structure, it was actually a G+2 building.
Terming the construction as outdated and unsafe, authorities said that the lack of adherence to fire safety norms was a major contributor to the scale of the tragedy.