PNS|Hyderabad
Seventeen people, including eight children, were killed in the massive fire that broke out in a three-floor building at Gulzar House near Charminar in Hyderabad early on Sunday. Four women and five men died in the fire that broke out on the first floor of the building, in addition to eight children.
Police said the 17 people died of asphyxiation. While eight had suffered burns, the main cause of death was inhalation of smoke. The police suspected that the incident took place due to a short circuit.
Many fell unconscious due to asphyxiation. The police shifted them to Osmania, Yashoda (Malakpet), DRDO and Apollo hospitals. However, some died on the spot and others in hospitals while undergoing treatment.
The fire broke out in a jewellery store. Fire department officials said the fire originated on the ground floor of the three-storey building, which housed the jewellery store. A short circuit is believed to have caused the fire, according to preliminary investigation.
Firefighting personnel, the DRF, the GHMC and the police reached the spot and brought the fire under control while launching relief operations and rescuing persons stuck in the building.
Seventy firefighters participated in the fire control mission using 10 fire tenders. Finally, the fire was controlled in two hours. Firefighters reached the spot in just 15 minutes after getting the alert.
The deceased are Prahlad (70), Munni (70), Rajendar Modi (65), Smutra (60), Sheetal (35), Varsha (35), Pankaj (36), and Rajini (32). Eight children, Hamey (7), Iddu (4), Rishab (4), Priyansh (4), Anuyan (3), Arushi (3), Iraaj (2), and Pratham (1), were also killed in the fire.
