Daijiworld Media Network - Hyderabad

Hyderabad, May 19: Telangana chief minister A. Revanth Reddy has initiated a comprehensive investigation into a devastating fire that broke out in a building near Gulzar Houz, close to the iconic Charminar, claiming the lives of 17 individuals on Sunday, including eight children and five women.

In an official statement from the chief minister’s Office, Revanth Reddy emphasized the need to identify the root cause of the fire and implement robust preventive measures to avoid such tragedies in the future. He also highlighted the importance of raising public awareness about fire safety, especially in densely populated urban areas.

The chief minister expressed profound grief over the incident and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. He assured full support from the state government and announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh for the families of the deceased.

Upon learning of the fire, the chief minister immediately reached out to officials from the Fire Services Department and the police to oversee the emergency response. He personally monitored the rescue operations and directed ministers and senior officials present in the city to rush to the scene and ensure that the injured received the best possible medical care.

Revanth Reddy also held detailed discussions with Minister Ponnam Prabhakar and Y. Nagi Reddy, director general of the Telangana Fire Disaster Response and Emergency Services, to assess the situation and review the condition of the injured. He instructed them to shift the victims to nearby hospitals for advanced treatment.

In a personal gesture, the chief minister spoke directly with several affected families over the phone, expressing his sympathies and reiterating the government’s commitment to providing them with all necessary support.

Commending the swift response of the fire department, the chief minister acknowledged that their timely action prevented an even greater loss of life.

Senior leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, along with Ministers Ponnam Prabhakar and Damodar Raja Narasimha, visited the accident site and Osmania Hospital, where the bodies of the victims have been kept.

The incident has sent shockwaves across the state and brought renewed attention to the urgent need for stricter safety regulations and fire preparedness in crowded urban zones. The state government has vowed to take all necessary steps to ensure such a catastrophe is not repeated.