How a suspected electric car fire turned deadly for an Indore family of six

Six members of a family died after a fire broke out at their residence in Indore early Wednesday morning, with police suspecting that the blaze may have originated from an electric car being charged outside the house.

According to police, the fire spread rapidly through the two-storey home of local businessman Manoj Pugaliya, where multiple LPG cylinders and chemicals were stored.

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Authorities said they received an alert about the blaze at around 4 am, following which several fire engines were dispatched to the spot. Firefighters battled the flames for nearly two hours before bringing the situation under control.

Cylinders and chemicals intensified the blaze

As per a report by Hindustan Times, Indore police commissioner Santosh Singh said the fire spread quickly as the residence contained around 15 LPG cylinders along with chemicals. “At least four cylinders exploded in the fire. The family may have been asleep when the blaze engulfed the house,” Singh said.

He added that the occupants were unable to escape because the house had an electric locking system, which reportedly shut down after the fire began, leaving the doors locked.

“Prima facie, it appears the fire originated from an electric car being charged outside the house,” the police commissioner said, adding that the exact cause would be determined after a forensic examination.

Victims identified

During the rescue operation, firefighters recovered the bodies of six people from the house.

List of victims

Manoj Pugaliya (65)

Vijay Sethiya (63)

Suman (60)

Simran (30)

Chotu Sethiya (22)

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A 12-year-old child

Three other people who sustained burn injuries were rescued and admitted to Maharaja Yashwantrao Hospital for treatment, officials said. Police have launched an investigation and are awaiting the findings of the forensic examination to determine the precise cause of the fire.