Panic Ensued as Smoke Rapidly Spread Through Ghaziabad's Aditya Commercial Hub. Some Tried to Escape via Staircases, While Others Confined Themselves Within Offices.
UP News: A fire broke out unexpectedly on Monday afternoon in the multi-story Aditya Commercial Hub building located in the Rajnagar RDC area of Ghaziabad. The fire originated on the sixth floor in a shaft due to a short circuit in the electrical wiring. The dense smoke from the fire quickly engulfed the entire building, causing panic among the occupants.
Suffocating Smoke Conditions
The smoke spread so rapidly that breathing became difficult. Many people rushed towards the staircases in the darkness, but the dense smoke and power outage hampered their descent. The situation was so critical that some people had to hang out of windows, breaking the glass panes to get some air and call for help.
Rescue Operation Underway
Upon receiving information about the incident, the local police and fire department responded swiftly. Ten fire engines arrived at the scene. During the rescue operation, firefighters used ladders to bring down people hanging from windows. Many others were carried out on the firefighters' shoulders.
Around 200 people were in the building during the incident, with approximately 100 trapped inside. All were safely evacuated. However, seven people suffered from smoke inhalation and were admitted to a nearby hospital.
How Did the Fire Spread?
The electrical wiring in the Aditya Commercial Hub building runs through a central shaft. The fire started in this shaft and quickly spread to other floors. Initially, a woman noticed smoke in a washroom and alerted security personnel, leading to the discovery of the fire.
Building Amenities and Situation
The nine-story building houses over 50 corporate offices. Employees were present in all offices at the time of the incident. Panic ensued after the fire broke out. The fire alarm and other safety systems failed to activate promptly, exacerbating the situation.
Administration's Statement
According to Chief Fire Officer Rahul Pal, the fire originated in a shaft on the sixth floor, and the fire department's swift response prevented a major disaster. He stated that all floors were inspected, the fire was completely extinguished, and the situation is now under control.
