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Indore house fire kills 7: EV charging point, LPG cylinder blasts suspected in pre-dawn tragedy

The incident has raised fresh concerns over the safety of EV charging setups in residential areas.

Written by: Anand Mohan J, Himanshu Harsh

4 min readUpdated: Mar 19, 2026 04:28 AM IST

Police inspect the house in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, Wednesday. (PTI)

A pre-dawn fire, possibly triggered by an electric vehicle charging point and intensified by LPG cylinder explosions, tore through a three-storey home in Indore on Wednesday, killing at least seven members of a family and leaving three others critically injured. The incident has raised fresh concerns over the safety of EV charging setups in residential areas.

Six victims were taken to hospital unconscious and later declared dead, with officials confirming smoke inhalation as the primary cause. The deceased include Vijay Sethia (65), Suman (60), Manoj Pugalia (65), Simran (30), Tinu (35), Chhotu Sethia (22), and 12-year-old Rashi Sethia. Three injured—Saurabh Pugalia, Ashish and Harshit Pugalia—are undergoing treatment.

The blaze is believed to have broken out between 3:30 am and 4:00 am, when most occupants were asleep. Preliminary findings suggest an electric vehicle parked outside had been left plugged in overnight, and a suspected short circuit at the charging point triggered an initial explosion, setting the vehicle ablaze. The flames spread rapidly to the house, leaving residents little time to react.

Neighbours, alerted by the explosions, rushed to help and managed to pull out a few people before the fire intensified. Fire tenders and emergency services were alerted and reached the spot, though locals alleged delays that hampered rescue efforts. Operations were further complicated by jammed electronic door locks following the power outage.

Firefighters battled the blaze for several hours before bringing it under control, by which time large parts of the structure had been gutted.

Indore Police Commissioner Santosh Singh said initial findings suggest an explosion at or near the electric vehicle ignited the fire, which escalated as flames spread indoors where around ten LPG cylinders were reportedly stored. Several exploded in quick succession between 4 am and 4:30 am, intensifying the blaze and hindering rescue efforts.

“It appears the occupants were unable to exit as the electronic locks did not open,” Singh said.

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The house belonged to Manoj Pugalia, a polymer trader. Investigators are examining whether other inflammable materials contributed to the rapid spread. The middle floor sustained extensive damage, and parts of the building have been declared structurally unsafe.

State Urban Development and Housing Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, who visited the scene, said, “This tragic incident is alarming because the house caught fire while an EV was being charged. We have asked the police and administration to conduct a detailed investigation by a committee of experts to prevent a recurrence of this incident.” Along with the investigation, an SOP for EV charging will also be prepared, he said.

“In light of the rising crude oil prices due to current geopolitical developments, there is a growing interest in electric vehicles. In such a situation, the fire that occurred during the charging of an EV serves as a caution for us,” he said.

Priyanka Sethia, daughter-in-law of Vijay Sethia, said that her father-in-law had been undergoing treatment for mouth cancer in Indore, which is why several members of the family had travelled there.

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The family had gathered at the residence of Vijay’s brother-in-law, Manoj Pugalia, in Greater Brijeshwari Colony near Bengali Square in Indore, where the tragic fire incident occurred. Pugalia also died after being trapped in the blaze.

A total of eight people, including a six-year-old child, lost their lives in the incident. The deceased included Kishanganj resident Vijay Sethia (around 65), his wife Suman Devi, their daughter Ruchika, grandson Tanmay Jain, granddaughter Rashi Jain, and nephew Kartik Sethia. The grandchildren were between 6 and 12 years old.

Recalling the events, Priyanka said, “My parents-in-law, my sister-in-law, my brother-in-law, and my sister-in-law’s two children died in the incident. My father-in-law had mouth cancer and had undergone surgery. After the operation, his daughter and son, along with my brother-in-law (Vijay’s nephew), had gone to see him and check on his condition. They stayed there during his chemotherapy treatment.”

Vijay Sethia lived with his family on Dharamshala Road in Kishanganj and was associated with the family’s wholesale jewellery business, a relative said. Another of his sons remained in Kishanganj and had not travelled to Indore.

Anand Mohan J

Anand Mohan J is an award-winning Senior Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently leading the bureau’s coverage of Madhya Pradesh. With a career spanning over eight years, he has established himself as a trusted voice at the intersection of law, internal security, and public policy. Based in Bhopal, Anand is widely recognized for his authoritative reporting on Maoist insurgency in Central India. In late 2025, he provided exclusive, ground-level coverage of the historic surrender of the final Maoist cadres in Madhya Pradesh, detailing the backchannel negotiations and the "vacuum of command" that led to the state being declared Maoist-free. Expertise and Reporting Beats Anand’s investigative work is characterized by a "Journalism of Courage" approach, holding institutions accountable through deep-dive analysis of several key sectors: National Security & Counter-Insurgency: He is a primary chronicler of the decline of Naxalism in the Central Indian corridor, documenting the tactical shifts of security forces and the rehabilitation of surrendered cadres. Judiciary & Legal Accountability: Drawing on over four years of experience covering Delhi’s trial courts and the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Anand deconstructs complex legal rulings. He has exposed critical institutional lapses, including custodial safety violations and the misuse of the National Security Act (NSA). Wildlife Conservation (Project Cheetah): Anand is a leading reporter on Project Cheetah at Kuno National Park. He has provided extensive coverage of the biological and administrative hurdles of rewilding Namibian and South African cheetahs, as well as high-profile cases of wildlife trafficking. Public Health & Social Safety: His recent investigative work has uncovered systemic negligence in public services, such as contaminated blood transfusions causing HIV infections in thalassemia patients and the human cost of the fertilizer crisis affecting rural farmers. Professional Background Tenure: Joined The Indian Express in 2017. Locations: Transitioned from the high-pressure Delhi City beat (covering courts, police, and labor issues) to his current role as a regional lead in Madhya Pradesh. Notable Investigations: * Exposed the "digital arrest" scams targeting entrepreneurs. Investigated the Bandhavgarh elephant deaths and the impact of kodo millet fungus on local wildlife. Documented the transition of power and welfare schemes (like Ladli Behna) in Madhya Pradesh governance. Digital & Professional Presence Author Profile: Anand Mohan J at Indian Express Twitter handle: @mohanreports ... Read More

Himanshu Harsh

Himanshu Harsh is a Correspondent with The Indian Express, currently leading on-the-ground coverage in Bihar. With a reporting career rooted in the complexities of the National Capital Region (NCR), Himanshu specializes in the critical intersection of law, crime, and civic governance. Professional Expertise & Credentials An alumnus of the prestigious Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi, Himanshu brings a rigorous academic foundation to his investigative work. His expertise is characterized by a "ground-up" reporting style, most notably demonstrated during his extensive coverage of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where he analyzed shifting political landscapes and grassroots sentiment. Specialized Beats Himanshu’s portfolio reflects versatility, allowing him to navigate diverse industries and social issues: Civic & Legal Affairs: Extensive experience covering the Delhi reporting beat, focusing on policy implementation and judicial impact. Automotive Industry: A technical background in reporting on India’s evolving transport and automotive sectors. Social Fabric & Human Interest: Beyond hard news, he is known for exploring the changing social dynamics of India’s urban and rural heartlands, bringing a human-centric lens to systemic issues. Personal Interests & Digital Literacy Outside the newsroom, Himanshu’s deep engagement with technology and gaming informs his understanding of digital trends and the modern information economy. A trained DJ with a passion for music, his diverse personal interests contribute to a well-rounded perspective that resonates across both traditional and digital media platforms. ... Read More

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