A total of two persons lost their lives after an inferno erupted in a five-storey residential building in Noida’s Mamura village, falling under the city’s Sector 66 on Wednesday, officials reported. As per a preliminary probe, the blaze may have been triggered while an electric vehicle (EV) battery was being charged, and the flames subsequently spread to nearby petrol-powered vehicles parked on the ground floor.

Police have registered a case against the owner of the building under the relevant provisions of law, while both the owner and the leaseholder of the building have been taken into custody by the cops. Further probe into the incident is underway to ascertain the exact cause which triggered the blaze.

Fire erupts during EV charging

According to police, the blaze was believed to have erupted after sparks were generated while an electric vehicle was being charged. The flames took a fierce form and rapidly spread to the petrol-powered vehicles parked nearby, resulting in an inferno which engulfed the ground-floor parking area and sent clouds of smoke billowing through the building.

The affected property is a G+4 residential building housing nearly 50 families, with each floor lodging as many as five families residing in two-room flats.

Major rescue ops save dozens from claws of death

Upon receipt of the information, the Fire Services Department launched a large-scale rescue operation. Seven fire tenders, along with a hydraulic platform, rescue vehicles, the Chief Fire Officer and local police personnel rushed to the scene soon after.

Firefighters managed to evacuate all residents trapped inside the building and contained the blaze thereafter. Gautam Buddha Nagar’s Joint Commissioner of Police, Rajeev Narain said the smoke originated from the ground-floor parking area and rapidly spread to the upper floors, affecting residents severely.

Although all residents were pulled to safety, two people suffered severe complications owing to smoke inhalation, and later succumbed at the hospital, police said.

Building owner, leaseholder detained

Joint CP Narain went on to say that preliminary findings indicated the fire was likely triggered while an EV was being charged. He said, “A spark is believed to have ignited the fire, which then spread to nearby petrol vehicles.” He confirmed that an FIR has been registered at the Phase-3 police station under the relevant legal provisions, and that both the building owner, as well as the leaseholder have been taken into custody as part of the probe.

CM Yogi orders swift relief measures

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister (CM) Yogi Adityanath took cognisance of the incident and directed the senior officials to take stock of the scene with immediate effect, so that rescue and relief operations can be supervised.

He also instructed the administration to ensure immediate treatment to the ones affected, maintain constant vigilance and expedite all relief measures for the victims and their families. Officials have also been asked to keep a close tab on the situation and extend every possible assistance to the affected people.