2 killed in Noida apartment fire; e-scooter charging suspected as trigger, illegal building owner arrested

Two young individuals died in a fire that engulfed an apartment in Noida, India, with investigators pointing to an e-scooter charging as the likely cause. The victims, identified as 24-year-old Sneha Srivastava from Muzaffarpur and 27-year-old Rishabh Kumar from Madhya Pradesh, were unable to escape the rapidly spreading flames.

The fire reportedly broke out in the apartment where an e-scooter was being charged. This incident highlights growing concerns about the safety of lithium-ion batteries, particularly in densely populated residential areas. Authorities are examining the circumstances to confirm the exact cause of the fire.

In response to the tragedy, police have arrested the owner of the building. The structure was reportedly built illegally, raising questions about building code enforcement and safety regulations in the region. The arrest underscores the potential legal ramifications for property owners who fail to comply with safety standards, especially in the context of emerging technologies like e-scooters.