Panic in Greater Noida as Fire Erupts at Girls’ Hostel; Students Leap from Second Floor in Bid to Escape

In a profoundly alarming and chaotic turn of events, a significant fire broke out at the Annapurna Girls Hostel, located in the Knowledge Park-3 region of Greater Noida, on Thursday evening, causing widespread panic among the hostel residents, nearby locals, and emergency responders.

The fire incident reportedly occurred at approximately 5 PM, when a sudden blast in an air conditioner unit installed in one of the rooms triggered a massive fire. The explosion is believed to have ignited flammable materials and quickly escalated into a full-blown fire emergency. Within minutes, flames spread across sections of the building, resulting in a dangerous situation for those inside, especially the girls residing in the hostel.

According to eyewitness accounts, many of the hostel’s occupants—primarily students living away from home—were present in the building at the time the fire broke out. Realizing the gravity of the situation, several of them rushed out in haste to avoid getting caught in the blaze. While a number of the girls were able to evacuate the premises safely on their own, the situation took a dramatic turn when two girls found themselves trapped on the second floor of the hostel building.

With thick black smoke billowing into the air, visibility dropping, and escape routes blocked or inaccessible due to the fire, the two girls were seen in a state of panic. In a desperate attempt to save their lives, the girls resorted to jumping from the second-floor balcony. According to residents in the area, some locals quickly gathered and brought a ladder to facilitate the rescue of those still trapped inside.

One of the two girls managed to climb down with the help of the ladder. However, the second girl reportedly slipped and fell while attempting to climb down. Fortunately, according to officials from the Greater Noida Fire Department, she escaped the incident with no serious injuries and is said to be safe and stable. Immediate assistance was provided by those present at the scene, ensuring she was moved to safety and given initial care.

Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Pradeep Kumar Choubey, speaking to India Today, confirmed that the fire services department received information about the blaze at around 5 PM on Thursday. The firefighting unit, including trained personnel and officers, was immediately mobilized and dispatched to the scene.

“Yesterday evening at around 5 PM, we received information that a fire had broken out in the Annapurna Girls Hostel located in the Knowledge Park-3 area of Greater Noida. Our team promptly responded to the call and reached the location without delay. The fire was quickly brought under control. Our Fire Station Officer (FSO) was also present at the site and supervised the operation,” said CFO Choubey.

The fire services team worked swiftly to douse the flames and prevent the fire from spreading to other parts of the building or adjacent structures. Despite the panic and chaos, the situation was efficiently handled with coordinated efforts from the fire department, residents, and bystanders who assisted in the evacuation process.

Speaking further about the rescue and evacuation process, CFO Choubey added, “By the time our team arrived, all the girls had already come out safely. There were no casualties reported in this unfortunate incident. The fire has been fully extinguished, and a thorough investigation is underway to determine the exact cause and assess the extent of the damage.”

He assured that no loss of life occurred during the incident, and the safety of all the residents has been confirmed. The authorities have also begun taking the necessary legal steps and procedural actions that follow such emergencies, which may include a safety audit of the hostel, verification of fire safety equipment, and accountability for the AC malfunction.

While no severe injuries or fatalities have been reported, the incident has once again drawn attention to the critical importance of fire safety infrastructure, especially in residential buildings such as hostels, which house young individuals far from their families. Concerns have been raised about the availability and maintenance of emergency exits, functional fire alarms, extinguishers, and evacuation protocols.

Locals, parents, and student organizations have urged the administration to conduct comprehensive safety inspections of all hostels, PG accommodations, and student housing facilities in the area to prevent such life-threatening situations in the future.

As the authorities continue their probe into the AC blast that caused the fire, further details are awaited regarding potential lapses in building safety standards or equipment maintenance.

The Annapurna Girls Hostel management has yet to release an official statement, but sources indicate that temporary relocation arrangements are being made for the residents while the building undergoes inspection and repair.

The incident, although devoid of casualties, serves as a stark reminder of how quickly such emergencies can escalate and the necessity for preparedness, awareness, and strict enforcement of safety norms in all residential institutions.