A massive fire tore through a cluster of jhuggis in Kanawani village, located in the Indirapuram area of Ghaziabad, on Thursday afternoon, leaving behind a trail of destruction and uncertainty. Thick black smoke billowed into the sky, visible from nearly two kilometres away, as flames swallowed hundreds of makeshift homes within a short span of time.
What began as a sudden blaze around noon quickly turned into a full-scale emergency. By the time residents realised what was happening, the fire had already spread across rows of tightly packed huts, giving families little time to react.
Fire Erupts Around 11 AM
According to local residents, the fire broke out at approximately 12 PM in the jhuggi cluster. Within minutes, flames leapt from one hut to another, driven by the highly combustible materials used in construction.
The density of the settlement made the situation worse. With huts built wall-to-wall and barely any open space, the fire spread unchecked in the initial minutes.
Over 500 Jhuggis Reduced to Ashes
Preliminary estimates suggest that more than 500 huts have been completely gutted in the fire. Entire rows of homes have been reduced to debris, leaving hundreds of families homeless.
- Personal belongings, documents, and savings lost
- Daily wage workers left without shelter
- Temporary shelters being considered for displaced families
Residents said many could not save anything except the clothes they were wearing.
Two Children Missing, Search Underway
Amid the devastation, concerns have deepened over the disappearance of two children, who are reported missing since the fire broke out.
- Local residents are actively searching through the debris
- Rescue teams are combing affected areas
- No official confirmation yet on their status
The missing children have added urgency and tension to ongoing rescue operations.
Police, Ambulances and Officials on Site
The local police and administrative teams quickly moved in to manage the situation.
- Police personnel deployed to control crowds
- Ambulances stationed nearby for emergency response
- Evacuation carried out in adjacent areas
So far, no casualties have been officially confirmed. However, officials say a full assessment will only be possible once the fire is completely extinguished and cooling operations are finished.
Exploding Cylinders Worsen Situation
Several residents reported that LPG cylinders kept inside the huts exploded during the fire.
- Loud blasts heard at intervals
- Flames intensified after each explosion
- Fire spread faster due to chain reactions
This not only accelerated the fire but also increased the risk for both residents and rescue teams.
Cause of Fire Still Unknown
Authorities have not confirmed the exact cause of the fire yet. However, early indications point toward common risk factors seen in such settlements:
- Possible electrical short circuit
- Open cooking flames
- Highly flammable building materials
Officials said a detailed investigation will be conducted once the situation stabilises.
Living Conditions Raise Safety Questions
Kanawani village, like many urban slum clusters in NCR, faces recurring safety concerns:
- Overcrowded housing
- Lack of fire safety infrastructure
- No planned emergency exits
- Illegal or unsafe electrical connections
Residents have long complained about the absence of basic safety measures, but incidents like this bring the issue into focus only after damage is done.
Immediate Relief and Next Steps
Authorities are expected to begin relief operations soon:
- Temporary shelter arrangements for displaced families
- Distribution of food, water, and essentials
- Damage assessment and compensation process
Local administration is also likely to review fire safety preparedness in such high-risk zones.
Ground Reality: A Community in Shock
As firefighting operations continue, what remains is a settlement in shock.
Children sit quietly beside piles of burnt debris. Families look for whatever can be salvaged. Some residents are still hoping for news of the missing children.
For many, this fire has erased years of struggle in a matter of minutes.