Seven Killed in Indore House Fire Sparked by EV Charging Explosion, Trapped by Electronic Locks
Multiple LPG cylinder blasts and power failure that disabled digital door locks contributed to deadly pre-dawn tragedy in Madhya Pradesh
INDORE, India — March 18, 2026 — At least seven members of a family, including a 12-year-old girl, were killed and three others critically injured when a massive fire tore through a three-storey residential building in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore city early Wednesday, in an incident authorities say was likely triggered by an explosion at an electric vehicle charging point .
The blaze erupted around 4 a.m. in the Brijeshwari Annexe locality near Bengali Square in the Tilak Nagar police station area, rapidly engulfing the structure and trapping occupants inside . Officials confirmed that the death toll later rose to eight, with one body yet to be formally identified .
Sri Lanka Reintroduces QR Code Fuel Rationing System Amid Middle East Supply Disruption.
According to Indore Commissioner of Police Santosh Kumar Singh, an electric vehicle parked outside the premises was being charged when a suspected short circuit at the charging point caused the car to catch fire . The flames quickly spread to the building, where approximately 10 LPG cylinders stored inside detonated in a chain reaction between 4 a.m. and 4:30 a.m., intensifying the blaze and causing part of the structure to collapse .
“Preliminary investigations reveal that an electric vehicle was being charged outside the house, and the charging point exploded. After that, the fire then spread to the house from the car,” Singh told reporters at the scene .
Electronic Locks Become ‘Deadly Noose’
Investigators said a likely power failure during the incident disabled the building’s electronic locking systems, preventing residents from escaping as smoke and heat filled the structure .
“It appears the occupants were unable to exit as the electronic locks did not open,” Singh said, indicating that those inside were effectively trapped . The Commissioner added that after the explosion, power cuts may have occurred, causing the doors to lock .
Indore Collector Shivam Verma noted that rescue teams faced significant difficulty gaining entry due to the digital locks . Firefighters eventually accessed the building through an adjoining property, pulling out three survivors in the initial phase, while others, particularly those inside bedrooms, remained trapped for longer durations .
Six victims were taken to hospital unconscious and later declared dead, with officials confirming that smoke inhalation was the primary cause of death . A neighbour told IANS: “At around 3 a.m., we got to know about the fire. We immediately called the fire services. However, the fire was so massive that it quickly spread all over the house” .
Victims and Injured
Authorities identified the deceased as Vijay Sethia (65), his son Chhotu Sethia (22), Vijay’s wife Suman (60), Manoj Pugalia (65), Simran (35), Rashi Sethia (12), and Tinu (35) . An eighth body, later recovered, brought the total fatalities to eight .
The injured—Saurabh Pugalia (30), Ashish (30), and Harshit Pugalia (25)—are undergoing treatment at a local hospital . Police Commissioner Singh said that approximately 8 to 10 people were present inside the house at the time of the incident, including relatives who had come from out of town for medical treatment .
The house belonged to Manoj Pugalia, a polymer trader. Investigators are also examining whether other inflammable materials stored on the premises contributed to the rapid spread of the fire . The middle floor sustained extensive damage, and parts of the building have been declared structurally unsafe .
Government Response and Investigation
Madhya Pradesh Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya visited the site Wednesday morning and ordered the formation of an expert committee to investigate the incident and develop a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for EV charging to prevent future tragedies .
Russia Accuses Ukraine of ‘Reckless’ Drone Strikes on TurkStream Gas Pipeline Supplying Europe Pi Day 2026: Celebrating Mathematics’ Most Famous Constant with Pie, Puzzles, and Einstein’s Birthday.
“This incident is very sad and alarming. As this is an era of EV and the fire was triggered by the charging point of the EV, which is a matter of concern,” Vijayvargiya told reporters. “Today, every individual thinks of buying an EV and I also think if I have to purchase the next vehicle it will be an EV. But if fire breaks out due to charging of EV then it is quite an alarming situation” .
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed grief over the tragedy in a social media post, stating: “The fire accident in Indore is extremely painful. I pay my humble tribute to the citizens who died in the accident. My condolences are with the bereaved families” .
The postmortem examinations of the deceased were conducted by a team of forensic experts at MGM Medical College, with videography performed as standard protocol for burn cases . Police and forensic teams have sealed the premises as a crime scene and are investigating all aspects of the incident .
Fire brigade officer Sushil Kumar Dubey told reporters that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), fire brigade, and senior administrative officials carried out joint rescue operations .
The tragedy has sparked debate about the safety of EV charging infrastructure in residential areas, with state authorities promising comprehensive guidelines following the expert committee’s findings .
SOURCES / INPUTS
ANI News: Death toll climbs to 8 after Indore residential building fire
Modern World Order Explained: Power, Alliances & Global Systems.
Helicopter Crashes While Landing in Eastern Nepal, One Injured, Six Killed in Israeli Airstrikes on Central Beirut, Lebanese Health Ministry Says.
