Albany, New York, USA: A tragic fire in the United States claimed the life of a Hyderabad-origin cyber security professional, while another person from Telangana remains in critical condition. The incident occurred on Thursday at a residential property on Western Avenue in Albany.
The victim, 24-year-old Sahaja Reddy Udumala, sustained fatal burn injuries after flames rapidly engulfed the two-storey building. Sahaja, who hailed from Jodimetla near Uppal, had completed her master’s degree in cyber security at the University at Albany last year and had been employed in the city since then. Her father works in the software industry, and her mother is a teacher in Hyderabad. She was also the niece of Udumala Bala, Archbishop of Visakhapatnam.
According to family members, the fire erupted around 11:40 am (local time) while Sahaja—who had just returned from a night shift—was sleeping. Several Indian students reside in the building, and the blaze began near her room before spreading quickly. Firefighters managed to pull her out and rush her to a hospital. “The medical team showed her to us via live video before removing the ventilator, explaining that she could not survive. That was the last time we saw her,” a relative told TOI.
Fire Response and Investigation
The Albany Fire Department received emergency calls at around 11:50 am, reporting a fire at 241 Western Avenue, which then extended to the adjacent structure at 239 Western Avenue. Fire chief Joseph Gregory described the situation as extremely severe, saying the flames had formed a “wall of fire” across the front of the building. Despite harsh weather and strong winds, firefighters rescued multiple residents and even saved a dog from inside the home.
The exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined. The New York State Fire Investigations Unit has joined the inquiry. Meanwhile, the American Red Cross is assisting 13 residents displaced by the incident, many of whom are University at Albany students.
Family members said that the Telugu Association of North America (TANA) and relatives in the U.S. are coordinating arrangements to repatriate Sahaja’s body to Hyderabad. “Preparations are underway to bring her back home,” a cousin confirmed.
