Short circuit sparks blaze in Gurugram showroom, 24 EVs reduced to ashes

A fire broke out at an e-scooter showroom on Palam Vihar Road in Ashok Vihar on Thursday morning, reducing around 24 electric scooters to ashes. The fire, which was reportedly caused by a short circuit in the showroom’s electricity meter, was brought under control after an hour-long effort by the fire brigade.

According to Fire Officer Narendra Singh, the fire broke out at around 9:30am on Thursday in the Yuvan automobiles showroom of Hero Electric. Within minutes, the flames spread rapidly, creating panic among employees on the upper floors. They initially tried to control the fire themselves but, realising the intensity, informed the fire brigade.

The fire brigade personnel reached the spot and contained the blaze in about an hour of effort. The firefighters doused the fire before it could spread to the ground and first floors, he added.

Showroom owner Ayush alleged that negligence by the Electricity Corporation led to the disaster. “I had informed the corporation regarding the problem with the showroom’s electricity meter through email and even visited their office on Wednesday to file a complaint. No action was taken, and today, a short circuit in that very meter caused this fire. I have suffered huge losses and demand an investigation,” he said.

“As soon as the fire broke out, the batteries kept in the basement also caught fire. Lithium batteries sparked and caused mild blasts, but none exploded. Otherwise, a major accident could have occurred,” the fire officer said.

Haryana Tribune