The usually bustling Gulzar Houz and the surroundings of Charminar were shrouded in grief on Monday
Hyderabad:The usually bustling Gulzar Houz and the surroundings of Charminar were shrouded in grief on Monday. Shops downed their shutters in mourning following the devastating fire that claimed the lives of the Modi family, well-known pearl traders who ran the iconic Modi Pearls store. The stretch of road leading to the site was barricaded, with entry restricted to the scene of the tragedy. Tourists unfamiliar with the incident were stunned upon hearing of it.
Family friends and locals remembered the Modi family as warm, friendly and deeply rooted in the neighbourhood. “Every summer, relatives from other cities came to stay with them,” said Bishan Kumar Goel, a cousin. “They were liked by everyone. We always looked forward to Diwali with them — they celebrated it better than anyone in the area and were generous with gifts.” “We’re still in shock. As soon as we heard the news, relatives began calling. In this locality, they had won everyone's hearts. A dark cloud has settled over all of us,” he added.
Pankaj Modi, one of the diseased, is in his mid-thirties and locally known as an animal lover. “Every night after closing his shop, Pankaj bhai fed the stray dogs of this locality. Dozens would gather around him. Those strays will miss their feeder dearly,” said a neighbour.
The police outpost near Modi Pearls is just a few feet away, and officers stationed there were familiar with the family. “The little children were so sweet. They always smiled and greeted us,” said constable Haribabu Yadav, posted at the Gulzar Houz fountain. He was on duty on the night of the tragedy.
“I saw smoke around 6 am and immediately called the fire department, then the control room, and then our station,” he recounted. “Our team and locals rushed in. The shops had strong gates and locks — built for security — so entering was difficult. We had to break a wall. It took about 40 minutes for the fire brigade to arrive.”
Haribabu, visibly shaken, continued, “We carried the bodies out on our shoulders. I reached home by afternoon but couldn’t sleep. I felt helpless. I couldn’t save them. I’ll never forget the smiling faces of those children who used to greet us. This will remain the saddest day of my life.”
Gyanesh Telwalkar, popularly known as Lambu bhai, runs a small tea stall near Gulzar Houz, recalled his association with the Modis. Fighting back tears, he shared his decades-long connection with the family. “I’ve known them since 1978. I used to deliver tea to their shop when I worked at another stall. Later, I opened my own,” he said. “They loved our Special Masala Chai. I used to get three or four orders from them every day. This incident has broken my heart.”
“Prahlad bhai (Prahlad Modi) started each day with chai at my stall,” Lambu bhai added. “He’d walk over, chat with locals, always cheerful and warm. It's hard to believe they’re gone.” He also recalled the shop’s historic status. “Former Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao visited Modi Pearls. Celebrities used to come here. It’s one of Hyderabad’s most recognised pearl stores.”
Locals pointed to recent issues with the power infrastructure. Due to increased electricity consumption during summer, transformers near Purandas Perfumes and Kali Kaman had reportedly exploded. “Just two days before the fire, a transformer near this area had burst,” said a resident. “Firefighters came and doused the flames then, but this tragedy is beyond words.”
The incident has raised serious concerns over fire safety in the Charminar area. “There are barely any fire prevention systems in place,” said a local. “Even the Gulzar Houz fountain, once active during events like Miss World, was dry during this tragedy.”
