Panic gripped the residents of Rachna Tower, located near Old Subhash Nagar in Bhopal, on Monday afternoon after a massive fire broke out in the residential complex’s basement. The incident, which occurred around 1:30 in the afternoon, was reportedly triggered by the explosion of an electric scooter battery that was allegedly left on charge. The fire spread rapidly from the electric two-wheeler to nearby parked vehicles, including an SUV. Eyewitnesses reported hearing loud blasts from the battery and tires, which caused significant alarm throughout the building. As the flames intensified, dense, toxic smoke filled the entire structure, prompting residents to rush out of their apartments in a state of chaos. Women and children were seen navigating the staircases to reach safety as smoke entered balconies and flats. Local residents made initial attempts to douse the flames, but the intensity of the blaze made it difficult to bring under control.

 

The Bhopal Municipal Corporation Fire Department was immediately alerted and reached the site shortly thereafter. Firefighters worked for approximately 15 to 20 minutes to extinguish the flames and prevent the fire from spreading further through the multi-storey residential complex. Dense smoke generated by the burning of plastic components, seat material, and thermocol from the vehicles created hazardous conditions in the surrounding area. The smoke also led to traffic congestion on the busy Old Subhash Nagar main road, affecting commuters travelling between MP Nagar, Subhash Phatak, and Ashoka Garden. Police personnel arrived at the scene to manage traffic flow and assist the fire brigade in their operations. BMC Fire Officer Saurabh Patel confirmed that the blaze was brought under control within a short span, successfully averting a larger catastrophe. Preliminary assessments suggest that the fire originated due to a technical malfunction or a battery issue while the scooter was being charged. Authorities are currently conducting a detailed investigation into the exact cause of the incident.