Hyderabad: Telangana recorded 4,137 fire-related incidents in the first quarter of 2026 (up to April), with careless smoking and discarded cigarette butts emerging as the leading cause, according to fire department data.
Of the total incidents, 3,714 cases were classified as minor fires, while 112 were medium, 27 serious, and 15 major. Careless smoking alone accounted for 2,059 cases, making it the single largest contributor. Electrical faults were the second major cause, triggering 941 fires, while the rest were attributed to unknown and miscellaneous reasons.
The fires resulted in property losses estimated at Rs 285.2 crore. However, officials said timely intervention helped save assets worth Rs 557 crore. The incidents claimed 14 lives, while 73 people were rescued by fire personnel. Commercial establishments were the most-affected, with shops and office complexes reporting 144 incidents, followed by residential buildings (118) and storage warehouses (83 cases).
A senior fire department official said that most of these incidents are preventable, with careless smoking, improper disposal of cigarette butts, and unattended electrical faults repeatedly emerging as key reasons. "Public awareness and basic precautions can significantly reduce such cases. People should avoid risky practices, such as smoking near flammable materials. We are addressing this through awareness drives and are also stressing regular electrical audits of homes and industries, especially in high-risk zones. Additionally, we are enforcing strict fire safety norms in buildings, warehouses, and factories, and speeding up public awareness campaigns on the safe handling of fire, gas, and electrical appliances," the official added.
One of the most tragic incidents this year occurred in January 2026 at Nampally, where a fire in a furniture shop building claimed at least five lives, including two children and an elderly woman. Officials said the victims died of asphyxiation after being trapped in a basement filled with flammable materials, raising concerns over illegal storage and lack of safety exits.
He emphasised that people should install fire detection systems in both commercial and residential complexes. "We will soon submit proposals to identify vulnerable areas with voltage fluctuation and conduct inspections." Officials also stressed that shops, warehouses, and mixed-use buildings remain high-risk zones, especially where plastic, plywood, and chemicals are stored without proper safeguards. "In many fatal cases, people ignore early warning signs or delay alerting emergency services. Quick reporting and basic safety compliance can save lives," said a district-fire officer (DFO).
Meanwhile, to address gaps in safety rules, the fire department is planning to update the Telangana Fire Services Act (1999). The proposed changes aim to improve building safety standards and bring structures below the 15-metre height limit under proper regulations, so more structures follow fire safety norms.
