15 people trapped as fierce fire breaks out in Ujjain's Bagadiya Tower

A horrific incident occurred in Ujjain city, Madhya Pradesh, on Wednesday, where at least 10 to 15 people, including women, were trapped in a fierce fire in a residential and commercial building. According to an NDTV report, the accident took place in Bagadiya Tower located in the Old Kotwali police station area of the city. The fire was so intense that the lives of people living and working in this five-storey building were put at risk.

Providing information regarding the incident, Ujjain District Magistrate Roshan Kumar Singh told reporters that as soon as the fire was reported, teams from the police, local administration, and SDRF (State Disaster Response Force) immediately reached the spot. The main objective of these teams is to control the fire and safely evacuate the residents trapped in the building. Currently, teams from the Municipal Fire Department are continuously engaged in rescue operations.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Pradeep Sharma, as per a PTI report, stated that some people are still trapped on the upper floors of the building, but police personnel are with them. Sharma further added that a pharmacy is located in this building and it is possible that the fire started there and gradually spread throughout the building. However, the exact cause of the fire has not yet been ascertained.

According to an eyewitness, a group of people had gathered on the third floor of this five-storey tower to attend a 'Garuda Purana' programme. After the fire broke out, some people managed to escape the building using ladders provided by the fire brigade. However, some women are still trapped in the building and have been unable to descend. Difficulties are being faced in the rescue operations.

District Magistrate Roshan Kumar Singh stated that the rescue operation is being hindered because the building is located in a narrow lane. So far, six fire tenders have been deployed and some people have been successfully rescued. Drones are also being used to monitor the situation. Besides SP Pradeep Sharma, several other senior officers have also reached the spot and security arrangements have been increased.

Rescue operations are being carried out jointly by the Municipal Corporation and the police. All efforts are being made to evacuate all people trapped in the building due to the fire. Currently, strict security arrangements have been put in place in the area so that there is no hindrance in the rescue operations.