Noida Hostel Fire Horror: Girls Jump to Escape as AC Compressor Blast Traps 160 in 5-Storey Building
A terrifying fire broke out at Annapurna Girls’ Hostel in Greater Noida’s Knowledge Park-3 on the evening of March 27, 2025, turning a routine day into a nightmare for 160 students. The blaze, triggered by an explosion in an air conditioner compressor on the second floor, rapidly engulfed parts of the five-storey building, filling it with thick, choking smoke. In a desperate bid to survive, several girls leapt from balconies, risking their lives as flames and panic spread.
The incident unfolded around 5:25 PM when the fire department received an urgent call. Two fire tenders rushed to the scene, battling heavy smoke to evacuate the trapped students. Videos circulating online captured the harrowing moments—girls dangling from balconies, some jumping to the ground below, and others being aided by locals with makeshift ladders. One student slipped during the chaos, falling from the second floor, though she miraculously escaped with minor injuries.
Chief Fire Officer Pradeep Kumar Choubey confirmed that the fire originated in a locked, unoccupied room due to the AC compressor blast. “Our team conducted a door-to-door search with breathing apparatus amidst dense smoke. Thankfully, all 160 girls were safely evacuated, and no lives were lost,” he said. The fire was brought under control within an hour, but not before leaving a lasting scar on the residents and onlookers.
Students recounted the terror of the moment. “The smoke was everywhere; we couldn’t breathe. I saw girls jumping because there was no other way out,” said Priyanka Sharma, a resident of the hostel. The building’s single staircase and lack of immediate escape routes amplified the danger, raising serious questions about fire safety compliance in private accommodations.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the compressor failure and assess the hostel’s safety measures. The incident has sparked outrage among parents and students, with many demanding stricter regulations for hostels. For now, the 160 girls are safe, but the memory of their brush with disaster will linger as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and preparedness. Updates will follow as the probe continues.