Air Conditioner Explosion Sparks Panic in Greater Noida Hostel

A fire broke out in a girls' hostel in Greater Noida due to an AC compressor explosion, causing chaos but no fatalities. One girl was injured during the escape. Firefighters successfully evacuated all 160 residents and quelled the fire. A viral video shows the dramatic rescue involving a ladder.

A fire erupted in a girls' hostel in Greater Noida on Thursday evening, stemming from an air conditioner compressor explosion, according to an official statement. While no casualties were reported, one girl sustained injuries while trying to escape the flames.

The incident took place at the Annapurna Girls Hostel in Knowledge Park 3 when the AC compressor exploded on the building's second floor, confirmed Pradeep Kumar, Noida's chief fire officer, on Friday.

Firefighters acted swiftly, deploying two fire engines to the scene, successfully evacuating the 160 students residing in the hostel and extinguishing the blaze. A dramatic video of the incident is circulating online, showing locals using a ladder to rescue girls from the balcony.

(With inputs from agencies.)