One year after Gulzar Houz fire, old risks continue to haunt Hyderabad’s historic core
A year after a deadly fire killed 17 members of a family in Hyderabad's Gulzar Houz, the site remains barricaded and under investigation, with the family unable to access their home. Despite the tragedy, safety conditions in the historic old city have seen little improvement, with persistent fire hazards in densely packed buildings. The affected family has relocated and restarted their jewellery business, but emotional and logistical challenges remain.
- ▪On May 18, 2025, a fire in a jewellery shop at Gulzar Houz spread rapidly, killing 17 family members due to smoke inhalation.
- ▪The building remains in police custody a year later, with the investigation largely concluded but the property not yet returned to the family.
- ▪Fire safety infrastructure is still lacking in Hyderabad’s old city, and compliance with safety norms remains poor despite awareness campaigns.
- ▪Fire officials submitted their report within weeks, including findings from an expert in Nagpur, but the handover process is pending.
- ▪The Modi family has resumed their business across the road from the charred building but continues to face emotional and practical hardships.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
A year after a devastating fire that wiped out 17 members of a pearl trader’s family in Gulzar Houz near the historic Charminar, the blackened legacy home still stands barricaded, frozen in time amid the bustle of the old city.The soot-stained structure, once home to three generations including five brothers and their families of the Modi household, now remains inaccessible even to surviving family members as the investigation into the tragedy continues. For the family, closure remains elusive a year later.“The house is in shambles. The investigation is still underway, and our home is still in police custody. We have requested the authorities multiple times to give us access to our home, but we have not received any response.
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Hindu — Top.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from The Hindu — Top
