HYDERABAD: At least 17 people died when a fire broke out due to a short circuit in a building in the Indian city of Hyderabad on Sunday (May 18), officials said.
A statement from the fire disaster response emergency and civil defence department in southern Telangana state, where Hyderabad is located, said they had received a call about the fire at just after 6am local time.
“The fire broke out on the ground floor and spread to the upper floors. Firefighting, search and rescue operations were carried out simultaneously,” it said.
The statement also listed the names of 17 individuals who lost their lives, including six children under the age of five.
India’s Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy, who visited the site, told local media that a preliminary inquiry indicated a short circuit may have led to the fire.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his “deep grief” over the loss of life and announced compensation of 200,000 rupees (about US$2,300) to the next of kin of each victim.
“Deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to a fire tragedy in Hyderabad, Telangana,” Modi said in a statement released by his office.
“Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon.”
Fires are common in India due to poor building practices, overcrowding and a lack of adherence to safety regulations.
Last month, a fierce fire broke out in a hotel in Kolkata, killing at least 15 people. Some people clambered out of windows and onto the rooftop to escape.
And last year, at least 24 people died after a fire broke out at a packed amusement park arcade in the western state of Gujarat.
