A significant fire erupted early Monday morning in a prominent residential complex in Noida’s Sector 119, sending shockwaves through the community and highlighting ongoing worries about fire preparedness in high-rise buildings.
The blaze broke out around 8:30 am at Unnati the Aranya society, home to nearly 4,000 residents. It originated in flat 2105 of Tower 4 and quickly spread to adjacent units, affecting floors both above and below the point of origin. Authorities suspect the incident may have started due to an air conditioning unit malfunction or a kitchen-related issue, though an official investigation is underway to determine the exact cause.
Firefighting teams responded promptly, arriving at the scene within approximately 30 minutes. Multiple fire tenders were deployed to combat the flames, which were eventually brought under control. Remarkably, no injuries or fatalities were reported despite the intensity of the fire and the resulting smoke that filled upper levels of the tower. All occupants of the impacted flat, including owner S.K. Mahajan, his wife, and their two daughters, safely evacuated. The family members are reported to be aged around 60, 54, 30, and 26 years respectively. Nearby flats on the 22nd and 24th floors were unoccupied at the time.
Residents voiced serious apprehensions about the society’s fire safety measures. One resident, Akhil Tiwari, who lives on the 23rd floor in flat 2304, noted the absence of adequate firefighting systems and water infrastructure, forcing many to evacuate amid thick smoke. The society is currently undergoing insolvency proceedings under an Interim Resolution Professional, adding to concerns about maintenance standards.
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Udit Narayan, the society’s maintenance in-charge, stated that emergency services were alerted immediately. He explained that the maintenance team initially attempted to contain the fire using the building’s hydrant system and water supplies from neighboring towers. Narayan emphasized that these efforts, combined with support from firefighters, helped ensure the safe evacuation of everyone in the affected areas and refuted suggestions of water shortages.
The incident has renewed calls for stricter enforcement of fire safety norms in residential high-rises, particularly in complexes facing administrative or financial challenges. Local authorities continue to monitor the situation as assessments of the damage are completed.