New Delhi, May 21, 2026 — A major fire broke out early Thursday morning inside the multiplex premises of Pacific Mall, located on the busy Kaushambi-Anand Vihar border. The blaze, which originated in the theatre’s projector room, filled the multi-story shopping complex with dense smoke, triggering panic across the area.
Thanks to a swift and well-coordinated response by the Ghaziabad Fire Service and the utilization of the mall’s built-in firefighting infrastructure, the flames were successfully contained before they could spread to neighboring shops or adjacent movie screens. No casualties or injuries have been reported.
Early Morning Alarm Triggers Emergency Response
The incident occurred during the early hours of Thursday, May 21, 2026. According to senior fire department officials, the first distress call was received at approximately 7:21 AM.
Because the fire began before peak retail hours, the mall did not have its typical weekend or evening rush. However, staff members, security personnel, and early-morning workers were present on the premises. Upon noticing thick plumes of dark smoke billowing from the top floor—where the cinema complex is situated—the mall administration immediately activated its emergency safety protocols. Security alarms were sounded, and building staff began orderly evacuations of anyone inside.
Chief Fire Officer (CFO) of Ghaziabad, Rahul Pal, stated that five fire tenders from the closest regional stations were immediately dispatched to the scene upon receiving the alert.
High-Intensity Firefighting Operations Unleashed
Recognizing the intensity of the blaze and the inherent risks associated with commercial mall fires, the fire department immediately scaled up its operations. Additional fire engines along with station officers-in-charge were called in from the Kotwali Fire Station and the Sahibabad Fire Station, bringing the total number of deployed fire tenders to 10.
The containment operation required precise execution due to the toxic smoke generated by burning electronic equipment, seating upholstery, and soundproofing materials inside the theatre.
Firefighters donned specialized Breathing Apparatus (BA) sets to penetrate the thick smoke screen on the upper levels. Moving systematically, the rescue units laid down eight lines of high-pressure hose pipes. Rather than relying solely on external water supplies, the teams tapped into the mall’s internal, built-in firefighting water hydrants, which significantly boosted water pressure and allowed for faster suppression.
Through aggressive venting and tactical water positioning, fire personnel successfully established a defensive line around the burning projector room. After nearly an hour of intensive efforts, the main body of the fire was brought under control, successfully protecting the nearby cinema halls, main food courts, and retail outlets from sustaining thermal damage.
Current Status: Cooling and Smoke Clearance Underway
By mid-morning, the active flames were completely doused. Fire crews shifted their focus toward “cooling operations”—a process where water is continuously sprayed on hot debris and structural pillars to eliminate any hidden pockets of heat that could trigger a secondary ignition.
The main obstacle remaining inside the Pacific Mall complex is the lingering, dense smoke. The building’s specialized heavy-duty exhaust systems and industrial fans have been fully activated to clear out the toxic air.
Local police teams from the Link Road Police Station cordoned off portions of the road outside the mall during the height of the operation to ensure unhindered access for emergency vehicles. While traffic near the Anand Vihar border experienced brief slowdowns, normal movement resumed shortly after the fire was brought under control.
Technical Investigation Trailing Short-Circuit Suspicions
Projector rooms house high-voltage electronic components, heavy-duty digital projection systems, and complex wiring architectures that run continuously, making them vulnerable to overheating or electrical overloads if any component malfunctions. Investigators will be auditing the multiplex’s electrical maintenance logs and reviewing CCTV footage from the surrounding corridors to verify if this was the definitive cause.
Context: A Rise in Commercial Fire Incidents
This incident follows closely on the heels of another major fire outbreak in Ghaziabad just a day prior, where a paint factory located in the Kavi Nagar industrial area was heavily damaged due to a chemical fire.,While a formal probe has been launched to pinpoint the exact sequence of events, preliminary findings by investigators strongly suggest an electrical malfunction.
The consecutive occurrences have drawn high-level attention. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took cognizance of the industrial incident yesterday and directed administrative officials across districts to ensure rigid compliance with fire safety norms, particularly as rising summer temperatures place an increased load on commercial air conditioning and electrical grids.
Mall management issued a brief press communication expressing gratitude to the local fire department for their prompt response and stated that the mall would work hand-in-hand with safety inspectors. The multiplex section will remain closed to the public until a complete structural integrity check and electrical safety clearance certificate are issued by the relevant municipal authorities.