Indore: An explosion at an Electric Vehicle (EV) charging point outside a house and the fire that ensued killed eight members of a family early in Indore early on Wednesday.
A major fire broke out in the three-storey house, authorities said. There were two minors and three women among those killed.
the building in Indore early on Wednesday, officials said
The incident has sent shock waves through the administrative set-up that ordered a detailed investigation into it by a committee of experts and the framing of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for EV charging.
Kundan Mandloi, ACP, told PTI that the fire broke out in the house at Brajeshwari Annex Colony between 3.30 and 4.30 am.
According to Indore police commissioner Santosh Kumar Singh, the car was being charged outside the three-storey house when the incident occurred.
“There was an explosion at the charging point, and the fire in the car then engulfed the house,” he said, as reported by The Telegraph Online.
The police found it difficult to enter the premises
as the house doors were fitted with electronic locks, the commissioner said, adding that cooking gas cylinders inside the house also exploded, further intensifying the blaze.
“Three persons trapped inside the house were rescued during the fire,” Singh said.
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). The bodies have been sent for post mortem.
“Two persons who were rescued during the fire were also brought to the hospital. However, after receiving first aid, they expressed the desire to be treated at another hospital and were discharged,” Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College dean Dr Arvind Ghanghoria said.
Madhya Pradesh 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.
“In light of the rising crude oil prices due to current geopolitical developments, there is a growing interest in electric vehicles. In such a situation, the fire that occurred during the charging of an EV serves as a caution for us,” he said.