According to police, the fire started on the ground floor of the G+4 building in Lane 2, where the electric car’s battery was being charged.
Two people died after a fire, suspected to have been caused by a spark from an electric car battery while it was charging, broke out in a four-storey residential building in Noida’s Mamura village on Wednesday, triggering a massive rescue operation in which about 50 families were evacuated, police said.
According to police, the fire started on the ground floor of the G+4 building in Lane 2, where the electric car’s battery was being charged. The initial spark allegedly ignited nearby gasoline-powered cars parked in the building, causing the fire to spread quickly and fill the building with thick smoke.
Seven fire engines, a hydraulic platform, the fire department and local police teams were transported to the scene after the fire was reported. Firefighters were able to control the fire and safely evacuate all residents from the building, officials said.
The police said in a statement: “There were approximately 50 families residing in the building. All occupants were safely evacuated during the rescue operation. However, two people whose health deteriorated due to smoke inhalation were taken to the district hospital, where doctors declared the death of a man and a woman.”
The police said that a case has been registered against the building owner/tenant under the relevant provisions of the law. The accused was detained and the necessary legal measures were taken.
The police said: “The preliminary investigation indicates that the fire occurred as a result of charging an electric car battery on the ground floor. The exact cause will be determined after a detailed investigation.”
Officials are also examining whether the building complies with mandatory fire safety standards and whether any lapses may have contributed to the loss of lives.
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