By: Bharat Daily Samachar Date: 2 October,2025

Early Morning Chaos

The control room received the first distress call at around 10:45 am, when a local resident noticed heavy smoke coming out of the building. Within minutes, panic spread among neighbors as videos began circulating on social media, showing dense plumes of black smoke rising from the flat. Alarmed residents rushed out of the building, ensuring that everyone inside was evacuated before the fire could spread further.

Fire Officer Ajay Kumar, stationed at Ecotech 3, confirmed that two fire tenders were immediately dispatched. “Our teams reached quickly and brought the fire under control within an hour,” Kumar said, adding that the fire did not spread to other floors of the building due to prompt action.

Cause of the Fire: A Small Diya in the Home Temple

According to preliminary investigations, the fire was triggered by a small diya that had been lit inside the home temple of the affected family before they left for work. Officials believe the flame came into contact with stationery items placed nearby, which acted as fuel for the blaze.

“The diya appears to have ignited paper and other inflammable items kept close to it, which quickly escalated into a fire,” Kumar explained.

The flat belonged to Haris Kalra, a shopkeeper who runs a stationery business. Ironically, it was the large stock of stationery stored inside the flat that contributed to the intense smoke and made firefighting more difficult.

The Firefighting Operation

When the fire engines arrived, the situation looked grim, with smoke escaping through windows and neighbors fearing for the safety of nearby flats. Firefighters equipped with Breathing Apparatus (BA) sets broke into the flat and began spraying firefighting foam to prevent the flames from spreading to adjacent rooms.

A fire official, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed: “The flat was already open when we reached. We used BA sets to enter the premises and foam sprays to contain the fire. The high volume of stationery items stored inside caused excessive smoke, but the blaze was restricted before it could spread beyond the flat.”

Thanks to coordinated efforts, the fire was brought under control within an hour. While furniture and household items were charred, the structure of the building remained safe.

Relief and Panic Among Residents

Although no injuries were reported, the incident created a wave of panic in the locality. Several families ran out of their homes in fear, carrying valuables and essentials as a precaution. Many gathered outside the building, watching anxiously as fire engines battled the blaze.

Local residents later expressed relief that no lives were lost and praised the quick response of firefighters. “Had the fire spread to other floors, the situation could have been catastrophic. Thankfully, everyone evacuated in time,” said one resident.

The Role of Social Media

Interestingly, the incident gained traction online as videos of the thick smoke and firefighting operations went viral across social media platforms. The footage, captured by bystanders from nearby buildings, showed firefighters directing water and foam jets at the burning flat. These visuals triggered a wave of comments highlighting both the risks of unattended flames and the commendable efficiency of Greater Noida’s fire department.

A Reminder About Fire Safety

While the incident ended without casualties, experts emphasize that it should serve as a wake-up call for residents about the dangers of negligence. Lighting a diya is a common ritual in Indian households, but leaving it unattended near flammable materials can be extremely hazardous.

Fire officers advise residents to:

• Avoid keeping diyas or candles close to paper, cloth, or plastic items.

• Never leave open flames unattended before leaving home.

• Install basic fire safety equipment like extinguishers and smoke alarms inside flats.

• Educate children and family members about emergency exit routes.

“Simple precautions can prevent tragedies,” a fire official remarked. “It’s not just about protecting property but ensuring lives are safe.”

Legal and Official Follow-Up

The Greater Noida Fire Department is preparing a detailed report on the incident. While no foul play is suspected, authorities are likely to issue fire safety advisories for Shahberi and neighboring residential sectors. With the locality housing a large number of high-rise buildings, officials stressed the need for strict fire safety compliance by residents and builders alike.

Conclusion

The Shahberi fire incident underscores the fact that even small lapses can lead to big dangers. A simple diya, left burning inside a home temple, triggered a blaze that could have turned disastrous if not for the quick evacuation of residents and rapid action by fire officials.

For residents of Greater Noida West, this serves as a timely reminder to remain vigilant about fire safety, especially in densely populated apartments. While the immediate crisis has been averted, the lesson remains: safety and caution must always come first.