One killed as fire engulfs five shops in Noida’s Sector 125, cylinder blast suspected

New Delhi: One person died after a fire engulfed at least five temporary shops in the Raipur area of Noida’s Sector 125 on Saturday afternoon. Firefighters brought the blaze under control with six fire brigade vehicles, police said.

The affected outlets sold tea and snacks and fell under the jurisdiction of Sector 126 police station. Videos from the area showed thick black smoke above the shops as emergency personnel responded and police cleared nearby streets.

Person found unconscious

According to a police statement, fire brigade personnel reached the site, evacuated the shops and extinguished the flames. During the firefighting operation, rescuers found one person unconscious and rushed the individual to a hospital. Doctors declared the person dead, police said.

The statement did not disclose the victim’s identity. Police and fire personnel continued checks at the site after bringing the blaze under control.

LPG cylinders found

Officials have yet to determine the exact cause of the fire. Preliminary information suggested a possible gas cylinder blast, but authorities have not confirmed that as the cause. Noida Chief Fire Officer Pradeep Kumar said firefighters found several LPG cylinders inside the burnt shops.

“We have found a large number of LPG cylinders inside. We are currently addressing this issue and conducting search and rescue operations to check whether anyone is trapped,” Pradeep Kumar, Chief Fire Officer (CFO) of Noida, told news agency ANI. His remarks came as emergency teams checked the affected premises for anyone who might remain trapped.

Police clear streets

A crowd gathered near the shops after the fire broke out. Police moved bystanders away and cleared the surrounding streets to allow firefighters and rescue teams to work. Officers asked people to maintain a safe distance from the affected area so emergency personnel could respond without obstruction.

Senior officers reached the scene to oversee the response, according to police. The police statement said authorities had also initiated other necessary measures at the site. Officials were assessing the damage to the shops. Police said