Telangana High Court Demands Fire Service Status Report After Tragic Blaze
The Telangana High Court has taken a firm stance on fire safety, directing the state government to submit a detailed status report on the operational readiness of its fire services. This directive comes in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) that highlights alleged systemic failures following a devastating fire incident.
Court's Queries on Fire Service Preparedness
A division bench, led by Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G M Mohiuddin, raised critical questions during a hearing on Thursday. The bench specifically inquired whether all fire tenders across Telangana are in proper working condition. Additionally, it sought clarity on whether firefighting personnel are adequately equipped with essential gear such as oxygen masks and firefighting equipment. The court also emphasized the importance of a consistent water supply to these vehicles, questioning if this basic necessity is guaranteed in emergency situations.
PIL Triggered by Gulzar Houz Fire Tragedy
The court's intervention was prompted by a PIL initiated after a letter from Santosh Gupta, a grieving father who lost his daughter in the catastrophic Gulzar Houz fire in May 2025. This tragic blaze claimed the lives of 17 members of a single family, raising serious concerns about emergency response protocols.
In his letter to the Chief Justice, Gupta leveled grave allegations of gross negligence and incompetence against state authorities. He asserted that despite immediate alerts to emergency services, there were significant delays in the arrival of fire engines and ambulances. Gupta further alleged that the first responders arrived with inadequate water supplies and no oxygen cylinders, and appeared untrained in administering life-saving CPR to the victims.
Allegations of Systemic Failure and Delayed Response
Gupta provided a harrowing account of the incident, stating, "The fire personnel were unprepared to enter the burning building to rescue those trapped. When additional engines arrived, they were not fully operational. It was I, along with my son and some local residents, who entered the building and rescued as many people as possible." He contended that the high death toll was exacerbated by delays in shifting the injured to hospitals, noting that eight rescued family members succumbed after a prolonged wait for transport to a hospital in Malakpet.
Court's Directions and Future Proceedings
The bench has directed the state government to file a formal response addressing these allegations of systemic failure. The matter has been adjourned for four weeks to allow for a thorough investigation. Gupta has urged the court to order a judicial inquiry to fix responsibility on officials from the fire and health departments, emphasizing the need for accountability to prevent such tragedies in the future.
This case underscores the critical importance of robust fire safety measures and efficient emergency response systems. The Telangana High Court's proactive approach aims to ensure that fire services are fully operational and equipped to handle crises, thereby safeguarding public safety across the state.
