A short circuit at an EV charging station in Indore caused a blast that killed seven people.

Early on Wednesday morning, a large fire destroyed a residential structure close to Bengali Square in Indore, burning seven people alive.

A suspected short circuit at an electric vehicle (EV) charging station caused a fire outside the Pugalia family’s home at around four in the morning in the vicinity of the Tilak Nagar police station. The three-story apartment building became a death trap for anyone inside as the flames quickly moved from the car into it within minutes.

Preliminary investigations and eyewitness reports indicate that the electric vehicle had been charged overnight. The car caught fire as a result of an explosion at the charging station caused by an unexpected short circuit. When the fire got to a cache of more than a dozen LPG cylinders kept within the residence, it rapidly spread.

A series of strong explosions ensued. According to reports, at least four cylinders detonated quickly after one another, spreading shockwaves around the area. Parts of the structure collapsed due to the blasts’ severity, giving people within little opportunity to flee.The family was hosting relatives at the time of the tragedy, with several members spending the night. There are seven confirmed deaths.

Indore Police Commissioner Santosh Kumar Singh said, “Prima facie, the fire started due to an explosion at the EV charging point. The fire spread rapidly from the vehicle to the house, where more than 10 gas cylinders were stored. Some of these cylinders exploded, worsening the situation. Seven people have died, and three have been rescued and admitted for treatment.”

Authorities also disclosed that the homeowner’s business-related polymer-related products and other combustible goods were kept inside the residence, potentially exacerbating the fire.

The house’s automated door locks made rescue efforts even more difficult. Residents were trapped inside when the locks stopped working due to a malfunctioning power supply during the fire. In order to enter, emergency personnel had to smash through doors, which cost them vital time.

Soon after receiving the notice, firefighters raced to the scene and fought the flames for many hours before controlling the fire. By that point, two levels of the building had been evacuated and the third was being inspected because the fire had nearly entirely destroyed it.

Indore Collector Shivam Verma confirmed that the fire broke out between 3:30 am and 4:30 am. “The situation is now under control. Rescue and relief operations are ongoing. Seven fatalities have been confirmed,” he said.Locals were among the first to respond, with some residents managing to rescue three individuals before emergency teams arrived. “We heard loud explosions and rushed out. The fire had already spread. We somehow managed to pull out a few people,” said a neighbor. Serious questions have been raised by the occurrence regarding the safety of EV charging stations in residential areas as well as the storage of flammable items and numerous gas cylinders within residences.

To determine the precise origin of the fire and pinpoint the mistakes that resulted in such a devastating death toll, a thorough investigation has been started.