Eight killed in fire after explosion at EV charging point outside house in Indore

Eight people were killed after a fire broke out following an explosion at an electric car charging point outside a three-storey house in Madhya Pradesh's Indore on Wednesday, officials informed.

The fired broke out at the house located in Brajeshwari Annex Colony between 3:30 am and 4:30 am, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Kundan Mandloi told PTI.

Eight persons were killed in the fire, he said.

Some cooking gas cylinders inside the house also exploded, which intensified the fire further, officials said.

A car was being charged outside the three-storey house, reported PTI quoting Police Commissioner Santosh Kumar Singh said.

"There was an explosion at the charging point, and the subsequent fire in the car engulfed the house," he said.

The house doors were fitted with electronic locks, making it difficult for the police to break in, the official said.

"Three persons trapped inside the house during the fire were rescued," he said.

A child was reported missing following the incident and was being searched, the ACP said.

Nearly 10 persons were reported to be inside the house at the time of the fire, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Amarendra Singh said.

Government Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College Dean Dr Arvind Ghanghoria said the bodies of the seven persons killed in the fire were brought to a government hospital.

"Two persons rescued during the fire were also brought to the hospital. After receiving first aid, they expressed their desire to be treated at another hospital and were discharged," he said.

A car was being charged outside the three-storey house. "There was an explosion at the charging point, and the fire in the car then engulfed the house," Police Commissioner Santosh Kumar Singh said.

The deceased included two minor children and three women, reported PTI.

The deceased have been identified as Tanmay (6), Rashi Sethia (12), Simran (30), Tinu (35), Suman Sethia (60), Vijay Sethia (65), Chhotu Sethia (22) and Manoj (65), Police Commissioner Santosh Kumar said.

State Urban Development and Housing Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, who visited the scene, said, "This tragic incident is alarming because the house caught fire while an EV was being charged. We have asked the police and administration to conduct a detailed investigation by a committee of experts to prevent a recurrence of this incident." Along with the investigation into the incident, an SOP for EV charging will also be prepared, the minister said.

PM Narendra Modi and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed grief over the incident.

In a post on X, PM Modi said, "I am deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the fire in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. My deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured."

Modi announced an assistance of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each to the injured through the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF).

CM Yadav said the incident was extremely heartbreaking. He prayed for the peace of the departed souls and wished a speedy recovery to the injured persons.