Indore EV showroom fire: 20+ rescued from upper floors near Khalsa Chowk
Synopsis
More than 20 residents woke to smoke-filled rooms with their exit blocked by a ground-floor EV showroom fire in Indore. What followed was a neighbour-led rooftop rescue using ladders and ropes — a reminder that in India's fast-growing EV market, mixed-use buildings housing battery-dense showrooms beneath residential floors carry fire risks that safety regulations have yet to fully address.
Key Takeaways
A fire broke out at an EV showroom near Khalsa Chowk, Lasudia, Indore at approximately 8 am on 5 June .
More than 20 residents from six families living on upper floors were trapped when flames blocked the stairwell exit.
Neighbours from an adjacent building used ladders and ropes to create a rooftop escape route, aiding fire personnel in the rescue.
Fire brigade officer Shobharam Malviya confirmed zero casualties ; the fire was controlled in about one hour using two water tankers .
All electric two-wheelers in the showroom were destroyed; the residential portion remained unaffected.
A short circuit is the preliminary suspected cause; a detailed investigation is ongoing.
A fire that broke out at an Electric Vehicle (EV) showroom in Indore on the morning of Friday, 5 June forced the rescue of more than 20 residents from six families living on the upper floors of the mixed-use building. Fire brigade teams, police, and alert neighbours worked together to bring all trapped individuals to safety without any injuries.
How the Fire Unfolded
The blaze broke out at approximately 8 am near Khalsa Chowk in the Lasudia area of Indore. The EV showroom occupied the ground floor of an apartment complex, and flames rising from below blocked the stairwell exit, leaving residents on upper floors with no way down. Many woke to smoke-filled rooms and reported breathing difficulties before realising the exit route was cut off.
Neighbours Mount a Rooftop Rescue
Residents of an adjacent multi-storey building responded swiftly after hearing screams. They arranged ladders and ropes, instructing those trapped to move to the roof. A makeshift passage was created by connecting ladders between the two rooftops, while ropes were tied to window frames and structural supports and thrown across. Some residents crossed using the ladders; others descended by climbing down the ropes. The community-led effort, supported by fire personnel, ensured all 20-plus residents were brought down safely.
Damage and Casualties
Fire brigade officer Shobharam Malviya confirmed there were no casualties. 'There were no casualties in the incident. The fire was completely brought under control within about an hour using two tankers of water,' Malviya said. The residential portion of the building was unaffected, and household belongings remained intact. However, all electric two-wheelers stored in the showroom were destroyed, and the showroom itself suffered extensive damage.
Cause Under Investigation
Preliminary findings point to a short circuit as the likely trigger, though officials said a detailed probe is underway. 'An investigation into the matter is underway,' Malviya added. The incident has renewed attention on fire safety norms in mixed-use buildings that house EV showrooms — where high-density battery storage poses distinct risks — alongside residential units. This comes amid a broader national conversation about EV battery fire safety standards in India.
What Happens Next
Authorities are expected to complete the technical investigation into the short circuit claim and assess whether the building met applicable fire safety regulations. Officials noted that timely action by locals and fire personnel prevented what could have been a far more serious tragedy.
Point of View
Often packed with lithium-ion battery inventory, increasingly occupy ground floors of mixed-use residential buildings across Indian cities. Fire safety norms for such configurations have not kept pace with the EV rollout. The fact that the rescue depended on neighbours with ladders rather than a building-mandated fire escape is the real headline. As EV penetration accelerates, regulators need to revisit occupancy classifications and mandatory egress standards before a similar incident ends differently.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the fire at the Indore EV showroom?
Preliminary investigations suggest a short circuit as the likely cause of the fire at the EV showroom near Khalsa Chowk in Indore's Lasudia area. A detailed technical probe is currently underway to confirm the exact origin.
Was anyone injured or killed in the Indore EV showroom fire?
No. Fire brigade officer Shobharam Malviya confirmed there were no casualties. All 20-plus residents from six families were rescued safely without injury.
How were the trapped residents rescued?
Residents of a neighbouring multi-storey building arranged ladders and ropes, creating a rooftop passage between the two buildings. Some trapped residents crossed via ladders while others descended using ropes tied to window frames, assisted by fire brigade personnel.
What property damage occurred in the fire?
All electric two-wheelers stored inside the showroom were destroyed, and the showroom suffered extensive damage. The residential flats above were unaffected, and household belongings remained safe.
Why are EV showroom fires considered a particular risk in mixed-use buildings?
EV showrooms typically store large quantities of lithium-ion battery-powered vehicles, which can sustain intense fires and complicate suppression efforts. When such showrooms occupy ground floors of residential buildings, a fire can rapidly block exit routes for residents above — as happened in the Indore incident.
