Ghaziabad: A massive fire broke out on Thursday in a slum cluster near Kanawali Village in the Indirapuram area of Ghaziabad, destroying nearly 200 huts and affecting hundreds of people. Thick black smoke covered the sky as flames spread rapidly through the settlement, creating panic among local residents.
According to early reports, the fire started around noon and quickly moved across the area because many huts were built with plastic sheets, bamboo, wood and other highly flammable materials. These temporary structures allowed the flames to travel fast from one hut to another.
Several cooking gas cylinders reportedly exploded during the fire, making the situation more dangerous and difficult for rescue workers. Loud blasts were heard in the area as cylinders caught fire one after another.
People from nearby colonies and markets gathered at a distance after seeing huge flames and dark smoke rising high into the sky. Witnesses said the smoke could be seen from several kilometres away.
Soon after the fire was reported, firefighters, police teams and rescue officials reached the spot. Emergency workers immediately began efforts to control the blaze and stop it from spreading to nearby buildings and residential areas.
Officials said no deaths had been reported till the latest updates, though many families lost their homes and belongings.
The fire created scenes of chaos as residents rushed to save children, elderly family members and whatever household items they could carry.
Some people were seen running with bags, utensils, bedding and important documents while others tried to pour water on burning huts before fire teams arrived.
As the scale of the fire became clear, more fire engines were called from nearby areas, including Noida, to support the operation.
Officials said around 22 fire tenders were deployed to control the flames. Firefighters worked for several hours in difficult conditions because the narrow lanes and tightly packed huts made access challenging.
The exploding gas cylinders also increased the risk for rescue teams. Fire personnel had to move carefully while spraying water and separating burning structures to stop further blasts.
Authorities later said they had brought nearly 90 per cent of the fire under control and successfully prevented it from reaching nearby residential colonies.
That was seen as a major relief because if the fire had spread beyond the slum cluster, damage could have been much larger.
Police also helped clear the area and manage crowds so emergency vehicles could move freely.
Residents described the fire as one of the biggest incidents seen in the area in recent years.
Many said the blaze spread within minutes, giving families very little time to react.
One local resident said people first noticed smoke from one side of the settlement, but before anyone could respond, several huts had already caught fire.
Another witness said children were crying and families were shouting for help as flames moved across rooftops.
Officials are still investigating the exact cause of the fire.
At present, no confirmed reason has been announced, though electrical faults, cooking accidents or gas leakage are often common causes in such densely populated informal settlements.
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Initial estimates suggested around 500 huts may have been affected, but later local assessments indicated that nearly 150 to 200 huts were completely gutted.
Authorities believe around 200 to 250 people have been directly impacted by the incident, though the number may rise after a full survey.
Many families lost everything inside their homes, including clothes, utensils, cash, school books and identity documents.
For daily wage workers and low-income families, such losses can be devastating because rebuilding life after a fire is extremely difficult.
Local administration teams are expected to assess the damage and arrange temporary relief measures such as shelter, food, water and basic medical help.
Social workers and local volunteers also reached the area to support affected families.
Incidents like this often raise concerns about fire safety in informal settlements where homes are closely packed together and built using materials that catch fire quickly.
Limited access to water lines, poor wiring systems and storage of LPG cylinders in small spaces can make such fires more dangerous.
Urban planners and safety experts have repeatedly said that vulnerable settlements need better infrastructure, safer cooking arrangements and emergency preparedness.
For the families affected in Indirapuram, the immediate concern is survival and shelter.
Many were left standing beside ashes where their homes once stood.
Children, women and elderly residents waited anxiously for updates while smoke continued to rise from burnt debris.
The quick response from fire teams likely prevented a larger tragedy, especially with so many cylinders exploding during the blaze.
Still, the destruction remains severe.
Authorities are expected to continue cooling operations, inspect damaged areas and begin relief work for displaced families.
The incident has once again highlighted the urgent need for stronger fire prevention systems in crowded settlements across growing urban areas.
For now, residents are hoping for assistance and trying to recover after losing homes in a matter of minutes.
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