Noida; A devastating fire broke out on Wednesday afternoon in a five-storey residential building operating primarily as a paying-guest facility in Mamura village, Sector 66, Noida. The inferno, which was reportedly triggered by a short circuit or spark from an electric scooter plugged in for charging, claimed two lives, left several injured, and prompted a massive, high-stakes rescue operation by emergency teams and local residents.
The tragedy unfolded in Gali No. 2 under the Phase 3 police station jurisdiction when the charging electric vehicle suddenly caught fire on the ground floor. The flames rapidly spread to approximately 30 to 40 petrol-powered motorcycles parked nearby, creating an intense blaze that generated columns of thick, toxic smoke. Within minutes, the heavy smoke traveled upward through the stairwells, trapping around 50 families and over 100 occupants inside their rooms and causing widespread panic.
A swift response from seven fire tenders, a hydraulic platform, and local police teams helped avert an even larger catastrophe. As the internal exits were cut off by smoke, rescue personnel and neighbors placed ladders from adjoining roofs to evacuate terrified residents from the upper floors. Amidst the chaos, a local shopkeeper named Aman provided a critical early warning by shouting to occupants to evacuate immediately as soon as the fire erupted, allowing dozens to escape before the smoke became lethal.
Despite the rigorous rescue efforts, two residents, including a 22-year-old woman from Bihar identified as Neha Srivastava, succumbed to severe smoke inhalation after being rushed to the district hospital. Two other individuals sustained significant burn injuries and are currently undergoing medical treatment. Following the containment of the hours-long blaze, police sealed the entrance of the charred building to preserve forensic evidence, leaving displaced tenants waiting outside to safely retrieve their belongings and relocate to temporary housing.
Taking swift note of the disaster, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered senior administrative officials to monitor the site continuously. He directed the teams to expedite all relief efforts and ensure the best possible medical care for the hospitalized victims. Meanwhile, Noida police have arrested the building’s landlord and leaseholder under charges of severe negligence, as investigators highlight growing concerns over the complete lack of fire safety protocols in the heavily populated residential pockets of the National Capital Region.
