Daijiworld Media Network - Indore

Indore, Jun 5: More than 20 residents belonging to six families were safely evacuated after a fire erupted at an electric vehicle (EV) showroom on the ground floor of a residential-commercial building in Indore on Friday morning.

The incident took place around 8 a.m. near Khalsa Chowk in the city's Lasudia locality. Thick smoke and flames quickly spread through the showroom, trapping families living in apartments on the upper floors.

Residents, many of whom were asleep when the fire broke out, were alerted after smoke entered their homes, causing breathing difficulties and panic. With the main staircase blocked by flames and dense smoke, escape became impossible through conventional routes.

Responding to cries for help, people living in a neighbouring multi-storey building rushed to assist before emergency teams arrived. Working alongside police and fire brigade personnel, they arranged ladders and ropes to create an alternative escape route.

Those trapped were guided to the rooftop, where ladders were positioned between the two buildings. Ropes secured to structural supports and window frames provided additional means of evacuation. Several residents crossed safely to the adjacent building via ladders, while others were brought down using ropes.

Despite the intensity of the blaze, the fire remained confined to the showroom and did not spread to the residential units above. However, all electric two-wheelers stored inside the showroom were completely destroyed.

According to fire brigade officer Shobharam Malviya, no injuries or fatalities were reported in the incident. Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control within approximately one hour using two water tankers.

Initial findings indicate that a short circuit may have triggered the fire, although authorities have launched a detailed investigation to determine the exact cause.

Officials credited the quick response of local residents and emergency services for preventing what could have turned into a major disaster. While the showroom sustained severe damage, the residential portion of the building remained largely unaffected, and all occupants were rescued safely.