A fire erupted on the first floor of a residential building in Greater Noida's Beta 2 area late Wednesday night after an air-conditioner exploded. Officials confirmed that no injuries or fatalities occurred, and the blaze was brought under control within 30 minutes of the fire department's arrival.
Incident Details
The incident took place at a three-storey house in Knowledge Park, Beta 2. According to a senior fire officer from the Knowledge Park fire station, residents alerted the fire department around 10:30 pm. Two fire engines were immediately dispatched to the scene.
Upon arrival, firefighters observed that the flames had spread rapidly across the first floor due to flammable materials, including a mattress and bed near the AC unit. The building's occupants had already evacuated safely before the fire crews arrived.
Firefighting Efforts
Firefighters worked swiftly to prevent the fire from spreading to other floors. The blaze was fully extinguished within 30 minutes. No structural damage was reported beyond the affected room.
Safety Warnings from Fire Officials
Highlighting the heightened risk of such accidents during summer, Chief Fire Officer Pradeep Kumar Chaubey cautioned against excessive use of air conditioners. He stated, "Running ACs at extremely low temperatures, such as 17 or 18 degrees Celsius, puts excessive load on electrical systems and can trigger fires. We advise setting ACs at around 24 degrees Celsius to reduce risk."
Chaubey also urged residents to have their air conditioners serviced at the start of each summer to prevent potential mishaps.
Emergency Response Guidelines
The fire department reiterated critical safety measures in case of a fire:
- Immediately call emergency helplines 101 or 112.
- If trapped in a smoke-filled room, bend low, cover your nose and mouth, and seek an exit.
- If clothing catches fire, follow the "stop, drop, and roll" principle to extinguish flames.
- Avoid using elevators; use staircases instead.
- Locate and use fire extinguishers if available.
Residents are encouraged to stay vigilant and prioritize safety during the summer months.
