Fire Tragedy Averted: 10 Telugu Students Escape Birmingham Apartment Blaze, 2 Hospitalised
Hyderabad | Diaspora Desk: In a harrowing incident abroad, ten Telugu students narrowly escaped a massive apartment fire in Birmingham, Alabama over the weekend. While most managed to flee with minor injuries, two students were seriously injured and are currently hospitalised in the ICU.
The fire occurred around 6:20 PM on Saturday, at a two-story building on Cullom Street, as reported by ABC3340.com. The victims, all students from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, are currently enrolled at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and were residing in shared units in the affected complex.
Narrow Escape and Rescue
According to eyewitnesses, the fire spread rapidly and left very little time to react.
“We tried using fire extinguishers, but the flames were too strong. Most of us ran out the back, but one of our friends was trapped inside. Thankfully, firefighters arrived just in time,” said one student in a now-viral Instagram post.
Birmingham Fire and Rescue confirmed rescuing four people from the burning structure. Two students were treated at the scene, while two others were rushed to the hospital and remain under critical care. Their condition is reported as serious but stable.
Students Lose Everything in the Blaze
The fire completely destroyed the apartment units, leaving the students with no belongings — only the clothes they were wearing. Items lost include:
- Clothing
- Electronic gadgets
- Laptops and academic materials
- Personal IDs, passports, and documents
“We’re grateful to be alive, but it’s heartbreaking. We lost everything,” another student shared.
Community Support & Fundraising
The incident has triggered a wave of support from the Indian diaspora in Birmingham, with student associations and local residents offering food, temporary shelter, and financial support. Fundraising campaigns have also been launched to help students recover their essentials and cover medical expenses.
Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fire, which remains unknown.
