Fire erupts on 21st floor of Noida high-rise; CM Yogi orders swift rescue measures
Noida, June 29
A major fire broke out on Monday at a high-rise residential apartment in Noida's Sector 119, triggering panic among residents and prompting a large-scale emergency response. The blaze was reported on the 21st floor of the Aranya Society, following which multiple fire tenders were rushed to the spot to bring the situation under control.
According to officials, nearly six fire engines were deployed immediately after the fire department received the alert. Firefighters launched an intensive operation to contain the flames and prevent the blaze from spreading to other parts of the building.
Preliminary findings suggest that the fire may have been triggered by an explosion in an air-conditioner unit. However, the exact cause will be established only after a detailed investigation.
Rescue teams carried out searches across the affected floor, and initial reports indicated that no residents were trapped inside the building. Fire personnel continued cooling operations while ensuring the safety of occupants.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took cognisance of the incident and directed senior officials to oversee relief and rescue efforts on priority. He instructed the administration to reach the site without delay, closely monitor the situation, and ensure that emergency operations are carried out efficiently.
The Chief Minister also ordered officials to make adequate medical arrangements for anyone injured in the incident and stressed the need for vigilance at every level until the operation is completed.
The Noida fire comes amid a series of recent fire incidents in residential complexes. Earlier this month, fires were reported from two residential buildings in Noida, one in Sector 74 and another in Sector 52.
In a separate incident on Monday morning, a fire also broke out in a four-storey residential building in Delhi's Keshav Puram area. Fire department personnel rescued three people trapped on the terrace, including two women and a man. Officials confirmed that all three were brought to safety without sustaining any injuries.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Living in Noida myself, this is terrifying. The AC explosion theory makes sense - these buildings have poor electrical wiring and overloaded circuits. Yogi ji's orders are good but where were the fire drills? Most residents don't even know the emergency exits. High time RWA's start conducting regular safety workshops.
As someone who works in fire safety in the US, I'm glad the Indian authorities are taking action. But 6 fire engines for a 21st floor fire is barely adequate. High-rise fires require aerial ladder platforms and specialized equipment. The quick rescue of those 3 people in Delhi is commendable though. Hope the investigation leads to real changes.
This is why I'm scared to live in high-rises despite the great views. The CM's swift response shows concern but why do we need to wait for tragedy to act? Building bye-laws need to enforce fire alarms, smoke detectors, and mandatory fire drills every 6 months. So many fires in Noida this month alone - this pattern is unacceptable.
Good thing nobody got hurt. But the fact that this happened on the 21st floor shows how vulnerable we are in these towers. The rescue teams did a great job but Noida's fire department needs better equipment for high-rise rescues. Also, why are builders cutting corners on fire safety in new projects? Need accountability.
Relief that everyone is safe. In Australia, high-rise buildings have strict fire compliance - regular inspections, fire warden training, and evacuation plans. India's rapid urbanization means we need to adopt similar standards.
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