The Telangana State Fire Services Department faced an unprecedented surge in emergencies during 2025, recording the highest number of fire and rescue distress calls in the past five years. Official data reveals a significant jump in incidents, leading to record-breaking property damage and a tragic loss of life.
A Surge in Emergencies: The Numbers Tell the Story
In 2025, the department received a staggering 8,861 fire distress and rescue calls. This figure marks the highest volume since 2019, when approximately 8,960 calls were logged. The current year's count surpasses the annual average of the previous five years by at least 700 calls, indicating a worrying upward trend.
A breakdown of the calls shows that the vast majority, 7,414, were related to small fires. There were 248 calls for medium-sized fires and 110 for major incidents. The data pinpoints the most vulnerable locations, with outdoor storage areas leading at 2,006 incidents. This was followed by households and residential buildings (1,378) and agricultural lands (1,148). Other significant categories included vehicles (666), industries (267), and shops and offices.
Causes, Cost, and Tragic Consequences
The leading cause of fires remained careless smoking, responsible for a massive 3,578 incidents. Electrical short circuits were the second major culprit, sparking 2,244 fires. The human and financial toll of these accidents reached grim new records for the state.
The year's fire accidents resulted in property losses valued at a shocking Rs 879.76 crore – the highest monetary loss ever recorded in Telangana. Furthermore, the fires claimed at least 163 lives, another tragic first for the state.
Among the major tragedies was a devastating building fire in a house at Gulzar Houz near Charminar in May, which killed 17 people, including four children. In another heartbreaking incident, twin toddlers died in a house fire at Sunder Nagar in Kacheguda, suspected to have been caused by an electrical short circuit.
Official Response and Calls for Stricter Safety Laws
GV Narayana Rao, the Director General of the fire department, attributed the rise in incidents to rapid urbanisation, increased power consumption, greater use of electrical equipment, and denser commercial activity. "Severe heatwaves this year further aggravated fire risks," he added.
Rao outlined steps being taken to enhance capabilities, including the induction of firefighting robots in 2025 and plans to procure new fire tenders and advanced equipment in 2026. A new fire station has also been sanctioned for Medaram in Mulugu district to manage crowds during the biennial Sammakka–Saralamma Jatara.
Currently, there are 36 fire stations within the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits. Proposals have been sent to the state government to upgrade 27 single-unit stations within the Outer Ring Road (ORR) limits to double-unit stations, and one to a triple-unit facility, to improve emergency coverage.
Ar Er SP Anchuri, chairman of FOCUS-HYD, stated that the spike exposes a critical gap between rapid urban growth and safety preparedness. "This makes the swift and strict implementation of proposed fire safety law amendments absolutely essential," he emphasized. He pointed out that while Hyderabad's skyline is soaring, the fire services are currently equipped to handle emergencies only in buildings up to about 15 floors. "Preparing for 50-floor firefighting operations is no longer optional — it is an urgent necessity," Anchuri concluded.
