In a heart-stopping incident late Tuesday night, a massive fire erupted on the ground floor of a five-story residential building in Ghaziabad’s Khoda area, trapping around 150 residents inside. The blaze, which started near the staircase and electrical panel, quickly filled the entire structure with thick smoke, sparking panic among the occupants.
The building, located near Birbal Chowki close to Golden Palace, houses approximately 40-45 flats. Eyewitnesses described chaos as smoke billowed up the stairs, blocking escape routes and leaving families desperate for help. Firefighters from Vaishali station received the distress call at 11:47 PM and mobilized a rapid response.
Ten fire tenders rushed to the scene under the command of CFO Rahul Pal. Upon arrival, they found raging flames on the stairs and electrical setup, with dense smoke engulfing upper floors. Without wasting a moment, rescue operations kicked off. Ladders from fire tenders extended to balconies and windows, allowing brave firefighters to evacuate terrified residents one by one.
In a grueling effort lasting hours, all 150 people were safely rescued. Tragically, over 20 suffered burns or smoke inhalation injuries. Ambulances ferried the wounded to nearby hospitals for immediate treatment, while on-site medical aid was provided to others. Police and administration officials oversaw the operation, ensuring coordinated relief efforts.
The fire was eventually brought under control after intense firefighting. Investigators are now probing the cause, with preliminary suspicions pointing to a short circuit in the electrical panel. This incident underscores the urgent need for better fire safety measures in densely populated urban buildings. Residents have urged authorities for stricter compliance with safety norms to prevent future tragedies.