Panel Formed to Probe Gulzar Houz Tragedy
Officials collected evidence from burnt power meters, air conditioners, cooling units and other damaged equipment as part of the probe
Hyderabad: The state government on Tuesday constituted a six-member high-level committee to investigate the fire mishap at Gulzar Houz that claimed the lives of 17 members of a jeweller’s extended family on Sunday. The panel will examine the causes of the blaze and assess the response of emergency services including at what time the fire trucks, ambulances and DRF teams got to the spot and whether they had all the required elements with them.
The panel comprises GHMC commissioner R.V. Karnan, Hyderabad collector Anudeep Durishetty, Hyderabad police commissioner C.V. Anand, director general of fire and disaster response Y.Nagi Reddy, HYDRAA commissioner A.V. Ranganath and TSSPDCL managing director Musharraf Faruqui. In addition to identifying lapses, the committee will suggest preventive measures to avert such incidents in the future.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, HYDRAA commissioner A.V. Ranganath said, “The committee will not only focus on the cause of the accident, but also deliberate on long-term strategies to prevent similar tragedies.” Highlighting the limitations in the existing legal framework, Ranganath said, “Currently, if a residential or commercial structure lacks fire safety protocols, we can only impose a Rs.500 or Rs.1,000 fine or issue a notice—amounts that hardly serve as deterrents.”
He further added, “We need to strengthen legal provisions. The committee will explore options such as imposing heavy fines, issuing strict legal notices, and, in extreme cases, sealing unsafe buildings. These measures may cause public concern, but they are essential for ensuring safety.” Ranganath also emphasised the need for public education on fire safety. “We plan to run awareness campaigns, including screenings at movie theatres and other crowded venues, to inform people about how to respond during a fire emergency,” he said.
Meanwhile, forensic teams continued investigations at the site. Officials collected evidence from burnt power meters, air conditioners, cooling units and other damaged equipment as part of the probe.