Indore EV Blast Kills 7

GG News Bureau
Indore, 18th March: A massive fire triggered by an electric vehicle (EV) charging point explosion killed seven people in Indore early Wednesday, after flames rapidly engulfed a three-storey residential building near Bengali Square.

The incident occurred between 3:30 am and 4:30 am in the Tilak Nagar police station area, where an electric car parked outside the Pugalia family’s residence was reportedly charging overnight. A suspected short circuit led to an explosion at the charging point, igniting the vehicle and spreading flames into the house within minutes.

The situation worsened after the fire reached a stockpile of more than a dozen LPG cylinders stored inside the building. At least four cylinders exploded in quick succession, triggering powerful blasts that caused structural damage and partial collapse, leaving those inside with little chance to escape.

Police Commissioner Santosh Kumar Singh said, “Prima facie, the fire started due to an explosion at the EV charging point. The fire spread rapidly from the vehicle to the house, where more than 10 gas cylinders were stored. Some of these cylinders exploded, worsening the situation. Seven people have died, and three have been rescued and admitted for treatment.”

The tragedy struck while the family was hosting relatives, resulting in multiple occupants being trapped inside the burning structure. Seven people were confirmed dead, while three others sustained critical injuries and were rushed to hospital after being rescued.

Authorities also pointed to the presence of flammable materials, including polymer-related substances linked to the homeowner’s business, which may have further intensified the blaze.

Rescue efforts were hampered by electronic door locks installed in the house. With the power supply failing during the fire, the locks became non-functional, trapping residents inside. Emergency teams had to break open doors, leading to delays in evacuation.

District Collector Shivam Verma confirmed that the fire has been brought under control and relief operations are ongoing. “Seven fatalities have been confirmed. The situation is now under control,” he said.

Fire tenders battled the flames for several hours before dousing the blaze. By then, the building had been extensively damaged, with two floors evacuated and the third under inspection.

Locals were the first to respond, with some managing to rescue three individuals before emergency services arrived. “We heard loud explosions and rushed out. The fire had already spread. We somehow managed to pull out a few people,” said a neighbour.

The incident has raised serious concerns over EV charging safety in residential areas and the risks posed by storing LPG cylinders and flammable materials inside homes.

A detailed investigation has been initiated to ascertain the exact cause of the fire and identify possible lapses behind the tragedy.