Tragedy in Indore: 8 Dead as EV Charging Short Circuit Triggers Massive House Fire

March 19, 2026 — A horrific fire in Madhya Pradesh’s commercial capital has claimed the lives of eight people, including two children, after a suspected short circuit at an electric vehicle (EV) charging point turned a residential building into an inescapable inferno.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, March 18, in the Brijeshwari Annexe locality near Bengali Square. What began as a routine overnight vehicle charge ended in a catastrophic series of explosions that decimated a three-storey home belonging to a local businessman.

A Chain Reaction of Explosions

The fire reportedly erupted between 3:30 AM and 4:00 AM while the residents were fast asleep. According to Indore Police Commissioner Santosh Kumar Singh, a hatchback electric vehicle parked outside the house was being charged overnight.

Initial investigations suggest a short circuit at the charging point ignited the car. The fire then escalated rapidly, fueled by several critical factors:

• Secondary Vehicle Blasts: The flames from the EV quickly spread to other vehicles parked nearby, including a sports bike and scooters, causing their fuel tanks to explode.
• LPG Cylinder Detonations: The house belonged to Manoj Pugalia, a polymer trader, who reportedly had roughly 10 to 11 LPG cylinders stored on the premises. At least three of these cylinders exploded like “bombs,” according to witnesses, shattering windows across the neighborhood.
• Flammable Materials: Stored polymer chemicals and decorative Plaster of Paris (POP) ceilings acted as accelerants, allowing the fire to reach the upper floors via external electrical wiring.

The “Digital Trap”: Electronic Locks Jammed

One of the most harrowing aspects of the tragedy was the failure of the building’s security system. The house was equipped with electronic locks that required power to function. When the short circuit caused a total power failure, the doors allegedly jammed, trapping the occupants inside.

While some family members managed to escape by breaking iron window grilles, many were trapped in their bedrooms. Rescue teams and neighbors described hearing frantic screams for nearly 15 minutes before an “eerie silence” fell over the structure.

Victims and Survivors

The deceased have been identified as:

1. Manoj Pugalia (65) – House owner and businessman.
2. Simran Pugalia (30) – Manoj’s daughter-in-law.
3. Vijay Sethia (65) – A relative from Bihar visiting for cancer treatment.
4. Suman Sethia (60) – Vijay’s wife.
5. Tinu Sethia (35) – Vijay’s daughter.
6. Chhotu Sethia (22) – Vijay’s nephew.
7. Rashi (12) and Tanmay (8) – Minor grandchildren.

Six of the victims were guests from the Kishanganj district of Bihar who had arrived just a day prior. Four other members of the family were rescued with injuries and are currently receiving treatment at Maharaja Yashwantrao (MY) Hospital.

Government Response and “New Challenges”

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed deep condolences and termed the incident a “new challenge” posed by evolving technology. He has ordered a high-level probe by a committee of experts.

“The incident stemming from the use of digital locks and electric car charging highlights a new type of challenge. The state government will work towards fostering awareness and preventing such tragedies,” the CM stated.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).

Safety Lessons for EV Owners

Authorities and fire safety experts are now urging citizens to follow strict protocols to prevent similar accidents:

• Ventilation: Never charge EVs in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces.
• Dedicated Wiring: Ensure charging points have dedicated, heavy-duty wiring and circuit breakers (MCBs).
• Manual Overrides: Avoid relying solely on electronic locks; ensure every exit has a manual manual override.
• Storage: Never store flammable materials like LPG cylinders or chemicals near charging stations.

The Indore administration is expected to release a formal Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for residential EV charging in the coming weeks.