Noida fire kills two in their 20s; building owner detained after Sector-66 blaze
Synopsis
An electric scooter charging in a basement turned a Noida residential building into a death trap on 15 July, killing two young people — including 22-year-old Sneha Srivastava — and trapping over 100 residents. The building owner is now in custody as investigators probe whether fire safety norms were ever followed.
Key Takeaways
A fire broke out at a four-storey residential building in Sector-66's Mamura area, Noida , on 15 July at around 11 am .
Two people in their 20s were killed — Sneha Srivastava, 22 , from Bihar, and an unidentified man in his late 20s.
The fire was triggered by an electric scooter explosion in the basement while the vehicle was charging.
Between 30 and 40 motorcycles in the basement were destroyed; the blaze took over three hours to control.
Firefighters evacuated more than 100 residents using a makeshift ladder bridge.
The building owner has been detained for questioning; fire safety compliance is under investigation.
A devastating fire broke out at a four-storey residential building in Sector-66's Mamura area, Noida, on Wednesday, 15 July, killing two people in their twenties after an electric scooter exploded in the basement while charging. The blaze, which started around 11 am, rapidly engulfed the entire structure and took firefighters more than three hours to fully control.
The Victims
One of the deceased has been identified as Sneha Srivastava, 22, a native of Bihar. The second victim, a man believed to be in his late 20s, had not been identified as of the latest reports. According to police, the unidentified man sustained burn injuries over more than 80 per cent of his body, while Srivastava suffered 40 per cent burns. A detailed investigation is underway.
How the Fire Started and Spread
Preliminary investigations indicate the blaze was triggered when an electric scooter parked in the building's basement suddenly exploded while on charge. The fire spread rapidly from the ground floor to the upper storeys, with a thick plume of smoke billowing out of the structure and engulfing nearby vehicles. Between 30 and 40 motorcycles parked in the basement were burnt to ashes.
The building reportedly housed approximately 50 rooms, occupied largely by working professionals and their families. A large number of residents were present at the time of the incident. Those on lower floors managed to escape, while residents on upper floors were trapped by the advancing smoke and flames.
Rescue Operations
Seven fire tenders were dispatched to the scene but faced significant difficulty navigating the narrow lanes and managing the large crowd of onlookers that had gathered. Fire engines deployed long hoses to reach the blaze. Firefighters erected a makeshift bridge using ladders, enabling the evacuation of more than 100 people who were trapped inside the building. The fire was fully brought under control after more than three hours of sustained efforts.
Building Owner Detained, Fire Safety Under Scrutiny
Police have detained the building owner for questioning. Investigators are examining whether adequate fire safety measures were in place at the time of the incident. This comes amid growing concerns across Indian cities about fire safety compliance in densely occupied residential buildings — particularly those housing migrant working professionals. The role of the electric scooter's charging setup is also under investigation, as EV-related fire incidents in enclosed spaces have raised alarms nationally in recent months.
What Happens Next
A formal case is expected to be registered once the investigation establishes the precise cause and whether negligence was involved. Authorities are also likely to review fire safety protocols for similar multi-storey residential buildings in the Noida area. The identity of the second victim remains a key priority for investigators.
Point of View
Fire safety compliance in densely packed migrant-worker housing in satellite cities like Noida is routinely ignored until disaster strikes. Second, the rapid proliferation of electric scooters has outpaced any serious regulatory framework for safe charging in residential spaces, particularly basements. The detention of the building owner is a start, but accountability rarely travels far in such cases without sustained pressure. If investigators confirm that no fire safety equipment was present in a 50-room building housing dozens of families, that is not negligence — it is a systemic failure that implicates local civic bodies as much as the landlord.
NationPress
15 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the Noida building fire on 15 July?
The fire was triggered by an electric scooter that exploded while it was being charged in the basement of a four-storey residential building in Sector-66's Mamura area, Noida. Preliminary investigations indicate the explosion caused the fire to spread rapidly, engulfing the entire building.
Who were the victims of the Noida Sector-66 fire?
Two people in their twenties died in the fire. One has been identified as Sneha Srivastava , 22, a native of Bihar. The second victim, a man believed to be in his late 20s, had not been identified as of the latest reports. The unidentified man suffered burns over more than 80 per cent of his body.
How many people were rescued from the Noida building fire?
More than 100 residents were evacuated by firefighters who erected a makeshift bridge using ladders to reach those trapped on upper floors. Seven fire tenders responded to the blaze, though narrow lanes and large crowds hampered access.
Has anyone been arrested in connection with the Noida fire?
The building owner has been detained for questioning. Police are investigating whether adequate fire safety measures were in place at the building, which reportedly housed around 50 rooms occupied by working professionals and their families.
How long did it take to control the Noida Mamura area fire?
It took firefighters more than three hours to fully bring the blaze under control. Seven fire tenders were deployed, but narrow lanes and crowd congestion created significant operational challenges at the site.
