A resident of Arihant Altura in Ghaziabad's Abhay Khand 2, Padmakar Jha, was among the first to spot a fire at the neighboring Gaur Green Avenue complex around midnight on Wednesday. He immediately alerted the community WhatsApp group, urging the power supply to be cut. Jha, who serves as the AOA president of Arihant Altura, shares a boundary wall with the affected complex.
Residents Living in Fear
Alok Ranjan Ojha, a resident of Gaur Green Avenue and a member of its RWA, expressed the collective anxiety. "I'm constantly on edge now," he said. "Any small spark makes me jump. I can't sleep at night and keep checking my home and electrical equipment to ensure nothing is heating up." The complex has witnessed two major fires within a month, leaving residents deeply unsettled.
Safety Measures Implemented
Since the first fire on April 29, the society has introduced several safety protocols. These include awareness programs, regular inspections of electrical equipment, and the installation of two coolers for each diesel generator to prevent overheating. Many residents have subscribed to house insurance and purchased fire extinguishers of two to four liters for their homes. Ojha noted, "A four-liter extinguisher costs about Rs 850, and a two-liter one around Rs 650. Many are buying from a vendor within our society."
However, PK Seth, a retired bureaucrat living in the complex, argued that small extinguishers are ineffective against large fires. "A fire extinguisher cannot tackle a big fire. We need vigilance and periodic checks of all electrical equipment, which heat up during excessive heatwaves," said Seth, who resides in Tower E, adjacent to Tower D where five flats were damaged and 13 affected in the April 29 incident. The complex houses 447 units across four 13-floor towers, along with some low-rise units.
Superstition and Practicality
Some residents have turned to superstition, viewing two major fires in less than a month as a bad omen. Others urge focus on fire safety protocols. Jha, who has initiated electrician visits in his society to check switches, sockets, and plug points, said, "There is fear that fire might spread to nearby societies as we share a boundary wall." He advised residents to place MCBs instead of switches for ACs, ensure power cables have no joints, check AC gas pressure, and maintain temperatures between 24 and 26 degrees.
Jha also requested that terrace access be kept unlocked at all times, as fire spreads upward. He emphasized regular checks of hose pipes, water pressure, and water tanks, and suggested having an additional DG on standby for power failures.
Insurance and Relief Efforts
The RWA is arranging insurance for the outer structure of the complex, while 15 to 20 residents have already insured their individual flats and household items. Ojha remarked, "It is very nominal about Rs 4,000 for a property worth one to two crore. It is a necessity in today's urban living." A relief fund for affected residents has collected Rs 13 lakh so far, with a committee assessing repair costs and disbursing amounts to willing residents.
Rajiv Wadhwan, former AOA president of Gaur Green Avenue, noted that the incidents have brought renewed attention to electrical safety in high-rises, where AC units and gas leaks due to excessive heating are frequent triggers. "We are telling everyone to watch their electrical appliances. Drills are being conducted along with checks on alarms and equipment, which have been carried out five to six times since April 29," he said.
