Greater Noida, :A major fire erupted at Annapurna Girls Hostel in Knowledge Park 3 on Thursday evening after an air conditioner (AC) compressor exploded, officials said. The blaze caused panic among the 160 resident students, with two girls forced to jump from the second-floor balcony to escape the flames. One of them suffered injuries after slipping during the desperate escape attempt.
The fire broke out due to an explosion in an AC compressor installed in the hostel.
Firefighters rushed to the scene and brought the blaze under control. All students were safely evacuated, though some suffered minor smoke inhalation.
Two trapped students, unable to exit through smoke-filled corridors, climbed down from their second-floor balcony. One girl lost her grip and fell, sustaining injuries. She was promptly taken to a nearby hospital and is reported to be in stable condition.
Pradeep Kumar, Noida Chief Fire Officer (CFO), confirmed the incident and stated that an investigation is underway to determine if safety lapses contributed to the accident.
Authorities are reviewing fire safety compliance in hostels and PG accommodations across Greater Noida. Parents and students have raised concerns over inadequate emergency exits and fire prevention measures in the hostel. The hostel management has assured cooperation with the probe and promised stricter safety protocols. This incident highlights the urgent need for regular electrical audits and fire drills in student accommodations to prevent such tragedies.
