A fire broke out in a ninth-floor flat at Antriksh Heights society in Sector 84, Gurgaon, on Sunday morning, sparking concerns among residents over inadequate fire safety arrangements and poor maintenance in the condominium. The incident occurred around 7.30am when flames erupted inside a locked apartment whose occupants were out of town. No injuries were reported, but furniture and household items inside the flat were gutted in the blaze.
Residents Respond to the Blaze
Residents said the fire was first spotted by an ex-serviceman exercising in the society's central lawn, who noticed smoke billowing from the upper floors. As the smoke intensified, several residents and security guards rushed upstairs to contain the fire before it spread to adjoining flats. However, the flat was locked from outside, and there was no proper emergency equipment available to break open the door. The group eventually forced entry using hammers before attempting to douse the flames with hoses.
"The smoke had filled the entire apartment and visibility was extremely poor. Residents and guards tried to control the fire till the fire brigade arrived," a resident said.
Allegations of Negligence
During the rescue attempt, one resident sustained minor injuries on his hand. Residents also alleged that the society's first-aid box lacked even basic medicines and bandages. Fire officials later brought the blaze under control after sustained efforts. Residents said the fire remained confined to one room, preventing a major disaster in the multistorey tower.
Following the incident, several residents accused the society management of ignoring repeated complaints regarding faulty fire extinguishers, inadequate firefighting equipment, and the absence of trained emergency response staff. Residents have demanded an immediate fire safety audit of the society and better emergency preparedness in the residential complex.
