While in Gurgaon we live in a flat — or what the westerners call an apartment — in a multi-storey middle-class gated community having five towers in Sector 52, Gurgaon, not far from Huda Metro station. Life here is usually peaceful and routine despite the residents, RWA and builder engaging in never-ending disputes. But middle-class Indians have a great ability to lead a calm life even in the apparently chaotic environment. That calm was shattered one morning some ten days ago.
After finishing breakfast, I was comfortably seated, checking emails on my phone, when I suddenly caught a strange, acrid whiff of smoke. I immediately called out to Jaswant, our reliable “Man Friday,” and asked him to check outside. I followed right behind.
To our shock, the door of the neighbouring flat was wide open, with thick smoke pouring out.
Thick black smoke billowing from the neighbouring flat.
Jaswant rushed inside without hesitation and shouted, “The AC is on fire!” He grabbed the fire extinguisher but struggled to open it. Just then the watchman arrived, took charge, and managed to douse the initial flames. But the fire had already spread. What followed was complete mayhem.
The maintenance staff quickly unrolled the water hose and kept spraying to hold the blaze at bay until the professionals arrived.
The fire brigade and police reached us about 15–20 minutes later and took another half-hour to fully extinguish the fire.
We were incredibly lucky it happened during daytime when everyone was awake and could respond quickly.
Later, I spoke to one of the three young men renting the flat. He explained that the fire started due to a short circuit in the AC. “I switched it on, it worked for a moment then stopped and sparks came out,” he told me. He had run out to call the watchman — which is why the door was open, allowing us to notice the smoke early. The other occupant was taking a bath at the time. Thankfully, the fire never reached the kitchen where the gas cylinders are stored. However, it caused considerable damage to the flat directly above on the fourth floor as well.
Here are some videos of the incident taken during the fire fight.
This was only the second time in my 81 years that I witnessed a fire incident up close. The first remains etched in my memory — the massive fire at the Bhavnagar Vegetable Oil Plant many years ago. I was then Deputy Director of the Oilseeds and Vegetable Oil wing. Along with Mr. G.M. Jhala the then Secretary of the National Dairy Development Board we drove more than three hours from Anand to Bhavnagar and fought alongside dozens of firefighters for over 14 hours to control the blaze in the groundnut stores. My friend and former colleague Nagar had written a blog on this incident which I published on Vrikshamandir in 2021. To read that blog please click on “The Bhavnagar Fire and My Green Sweater”
Incidents like today remind us how quickly a small electrical fault can escalate — especially with air conditioners in our hot summers. Quick action by Jaswant, the watchman, and maintenance staff prevented a much worse outcome.
Simple Fire Safety Reminders for Apartment Living
• Have AC units serviced regularly — clogged filters and dirty coils force the system to overheat.
• Ensure dedicated circuits for high-power appliances like ACs; avoid overloading sockets or using extension cords.
• Keep fire extinguishers accessible and know how to use them (never use water on an electrical fire).
• Check for warning signs: sparks, burning smells, flickering lights, or warm outlets.
• In case of electrical fire: cut power if safe, then use a proper extinguisher or baking soda for small flames.
It is important to have insurance for fire 🔥 theft etc. I had insurance for the flat but didn’t renew. I have called the agent tomorrow and hopefully will get a good insurance policy.
These small habits can make all the difference in a gated community like ours.
Stay safe, everyone. If you’ve had a similar close call or have fire-safety tips, feel free to share in the comments.
