Vidisha EV Showroom Fire Destroys 30 Bikes, Six Rescued

A major Vidisha EV showroom fire gutted 30–35 bikes and caused losses of ₹25 lakh; six residents trapped above were rescued using a JCB

Late-night blaze erupts

A massive fire broke out at an electric vehicle (EV) bike showroom in Vidisha late Tuesday night, leaving 30 to 35 vehicles completely destroyed and causing an estimated loss of around ₹25 lakh. The incident occurred in the Peetal Mill area, opposite a convent school, and quickly spread through the building.

Initial reports indicate the fire started sometime around 1:30 am, though the exact cause remains under investigation. No casualties have been reported so far.

Residents trapped upstairs

The showroom occupies the ground floor of a multi-storey building, with residential units on the first and second floors. As thick smoke engulfed the structure, two families living above found themselves trapped.

According to local accounts, six people—belonging to two families—were unable to exit as the staircase was filled with smoke, making breathing difficult and escape nearly impossible.

JCB used in rescue

With the situation worsening, a private JCB machine was brought in to assist with the rescue. The machine was used to break open the balcony grill on the first floor, allowing emergency access.

A senior citizen and her daughter were evacuated first. The family residing on the second floor had moved to the terrace to avoid smoke inhalation and were brought down safely after the fire was brought under control.

Officials said the use of heavy machinery was a last resort, but it proved critical in ensuring no lives were lost.

Distress call from Bhopal

Gaurang Mathur, whose mother and sister were among those trapped, was in Bhopal at the time of the incident. He said he received a call from his mother around 2 am informing him about smoke rising from the lower floor.

Mathur told local authorities that he tried contacting the fire brigade but was unable to get through initially. He then alerted Civil Lines police station officials, following which emergency services were dispatched.

“Had the fire brigade reached earlier, the damage could have been less,” he reportedly said, adding that he arranged for the JCB that ultimately helped rescue his family members.

Vehicles reduced to ashes

By the time firefighters brought the blaze under control, the showroom had suffered extensive damage. Around 30 to 35 electric bikes were reduced to charred remains.

Pankaj Jain, the building owner, said he was informed about the fire by a tenant living on the first floor. “The entire showroom stock has been destroyed. The loss is roughly ₹25 lakh,” he stated.

Despite the scale of the fire, authorities noted that no battery explosions were reported among the burnt vehicles, which could have made the situation far more dangerous.

Cause under investigation

Preliminary assessments suggest the fire may have been triggered by a short circuit or a possible air conditioner malfunction. However, officials have not confirmed the exact cause.

Fire department teams, along with local police, are conducting a detailed investigation. A forensic assessment of the site is expected to determine whether electrical faults or equipment failure led to the blaze.

Smoke lingers, probe continues

Even hours after the incident, smoke continued to linger in parts of the building. A tenant who returned in the morning found his room filled with smoke, though his belongings remained intact.

Authorities said timely evacuation and improvised rescue efforts prevented a tragedy. The Vidisha EV showroom fire has once again raised concerns over fire safety measures in mixed-use buildings, especially those dealing with electric vehicles.

Further action will depend on the findings of the ongoing probe.