Ghaziabad hotel fire: 18 evacuated safely from Banana Tree Hotel, Sahibabad
Synopsis
A fire tore through the Banana Tree Hotel & Banquets in Ghaziabad's Sahibabad on Tuesday, originating on the fifth floor where renovation was under way. Eighteen trapped occupants were rescued without casualties — but the blaze puts a sharp spotlight on how consistently fire safety rules are enforced at hotels mid-renovation.
Key Takeaways
A major fire broke out at Banana Tree Hotel & Banquets , Site IV Industrial Area, Sahibabad, Ghaziabad , on Tuesday afternoon .
18 people were safely evacuated by the Ghaziabad Fire Department ; there were no reported fatalities or injuries.
The fire reportedly originated on the fifth floor , where renovation work was in progress, and spread rapidly to upper floors.
Fire tenders were dispatched from both Vaishali and Sahibabad fire stations; personnel used the hotel's own fire-fighting infrastructure to combat the blaze.
The cause of the fire had not been officially established as of last reports; the incident raises questions about fire safety compliance during renovation at commercial establishments.
A major fire broke out at the Banana Tree Hotel & Banquets in the Site IV Industrial Area of Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, on Tuesday afternoon, triggering widespread panic and deploying multiple fire teams in an extensive rescue and firefighting operation. The Ghaziabad Fire Department successfully evacuated 18 people trapped inside the hotel, and there were no reported casualties.
How the Fire Broke Out
According to the Ghaziabad Fire Department, the control room at the Vaishali fire station received an alert about the blaze at approximately noon on Tuesday. The fire is believed to have originated on the fifth floor, where renovation work was reportedly under way at the time. Flames spread rapidly toward the upper floors, filling the building with thick smoke and presenting a formidable challenge to emergency responders.
The cause of the fire had not been officially established as of the last reports, though the timing — during active renovation activity — has prompted questions about on-site safety protocols.
Rescue and Firefighting Operations
Two fire tenders were immediately dispatched from the Vaishali fire station, with additional engines sent from the Sahibabad fire station to reinforce the response. Firefighters divided their effort: one team focused on evacuating the 18 stranded individuals while others worked to contain the blaze. Personnel used the hotel's existing fire-fighting infrastructure to lay hose lines, and pumped water from fire tenders to the upper floors via stairwells.
Thick smoke and visible flames were reported erupting from the premises. Multiple teams remained deployed on-site as firefighting operations continued till last reports came in.
Safety Questions Raised by the Incident
While the swift response prevented any loss of life, the incident has raised concerns about fire safety arrangements at commercial establishments undergoing renovation. Renovation work often introduces additional fire hazards — combustible materials, disrupted fire-suppression systems, and reduced emergency egress — yet statutory safety compliance during such periods is not consistently enforced. This is not the first such hotel fire linked to renovation activity in the National Capital Region.
Current Status
As of the latest available information, there are no reports of fatalities or serious injuries. The fire was being battled by multiple teams, and the extent of structural damage to the property was not immediately assessed. Authorities have not yet issued an official statement on the cause or the status of ongoing renovation permits at the hotel.
The incident is expected to draw scrutiny from fire safety regulators and local authorities regarding compliance norms for hotels under active renovation in Uttar Pradesh.
Point of View
But it should not obscure the underlying regulatory failure this fire likely represents. Commercial establishments in the NCR routinely continue operations — or, as here, undergo active renovation — without ensuring that fire-suppression systems are operational and escape routes unobstructed. The fifth-floor origin point during live renovation work is a textbook red flag that building inspection regimes are meant to catch in advance. Until Uttar Pradesh and its peer states enforce mandatory safety audits as a pre-condition for renovation permits at occupied hospitality properties, incidents like this will remain a matter of luck rather than design.
NationPress
27 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the Ghaziabad hotel fire break out?
The fire broke out at the Banana Tree Hotel & Banquets in the Site IV Industrial Area of Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, on Tuesday. The blaze originated on the fifth floor, where renovation work was under way, and spread rapidly toward the upper floors.
Were there any casualties in the Banana Tree Hotel fire?
No. The Ghaziabad Fire Department successfully evacuated 18 people who were trapped inside the hotel, and there were no reported fatalities or injuries as of the latest available information.
What caused the fire at the Sahibabad hotel?
The exact cause had not been officially established as of last reports. The fire originated on the fifth floor, where renovation work was in progress at the time, raising questions about fire safety protocols during the renovation.
How did firefighters rescue people from the burning hotel?
Teams from the Vaishali and Sahibabad fire stations responded after the control room received the alert at noon. One team focused on evacuating the 18 trapped individuals while others used the hotel's existing fire-fighting infrastructure and pumped water through stairwells to upper floors to contain the blaze.
What broader safety concerns does this fire raise?
The incident highlights risks associated with inadequate fire safety compliance at commercial establishments undergoing renovation, where combustible materials and disrupted suppression systems can accelerate a blaze. Authorities are expected to face questions about whether proper safety checks were in place during the ongoing renovation work at the hotel.
