Overview
- The fire began while an electric two‑wheeler was charging and killed two people and displaced about 50 families in Mamura village, Noida, on Wednesday, July 15.
- Initial police findings say sparks from the charging battery spread to parked petrol scooters, which escalated the blaze and hampered evacuation efforts.
- Auto specialists link such fires to thermal runaway, a chain reaction inside lithium‑ion cells that releases flammable gases, spreads quickly between cells, and can reignite even after flames are knocked down.
- Safety advice from industry and policy voices calls for OEM‑approved chargers, trained installations on a dedicated circuit, protective devices like MCBs and RCCBs, ventilated charging locations, and prompt service for signs of heat or swelling.
- Coverage highlights gaps despite AIS‑156 rules introduced in 2023: uneven enforcement, substandard packs and repairs in the unorganised market, limited formal charging access, and firefighting challenges that may push authorities to tighten inspection and infrastructure efforts.