Sun May 18 20:34:39 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article based on the provided text, written in a journalistic style:

**Hyderabad Fire: Residents Allege Delayed Response, Fire Department Denies Claims**

**HYDERABAD, INDIA – May 19, 2025** – A devastating fire in the Old City area of Hyderabad near Gulzar Houz sparked controversy on Sunday, May 18th, with residents and family members of victims alleging that the initial fire tenders arrived with insufficient water, hindering rescue efforts. The claims arose amidst the chaos at the scene and were repeated during visits by Ministers to the Modi family at Osmania General Hospital. The allegations have prompted promises of an official inquiry.

However, the Telangana State Disaster Response and Fire Services department has strongly refuted the accusations. Director General Y. Nagi Reddy stated that each fire tender adheres to national standards, carrying 4,500 liters of water. “We also deployed bowsers (water tankers) for backup,” Reddy explained. “A tender cannot carry unlimited water – it’s standard practice to send bowsers or refill the tenders at the station.”

Reddy further clarified that each tender has a pump capacity of 2,800 liters per minute, emphasizing that water usage is carefully managed based on the specific circumstances of the fire.

According to officials, the Gulzar Houz fire operation involved a total of 11 vehicles, including water tenders, rescue tenders, and bowsers, along with a Bronto Skylift hydraulic platform, which was placed on standby.. Seventeen officers and 70 personnel battled the blaze for nearly two hours.

An officer on the ground described the operation as “high-risk,” citing challenges such as extreme heat, dense smoke, and near-zero visibility. The building’s single, narrow staircase, located near the fire’s origin, was quickly engulfed in flames, effectively cutting off access to the upper floors. The lack of alternative exits and external openings further complicated rescue attempts.

The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.

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