Indore Fire Mystery Deepens: Conflicting Theories, Awaiting Final Report Six Days On

Nearly a week after the Tilak Nagar blaze claimed eight lives, authorities are still piecing together the exact sequence of events, with a final combined report expected to settle conflicting theories.

A Waiting Game for Answers

Six days after a devastating fire engulfed a three-storey house in Indore’s Tilak Nagar, the question of what caused the tragedy remains unanswered. Police, forensic experts, and the electricity department are all investigating, but conflicting statements from family members and technical complexities have shrouded the case in mystery. Officials are now awaiting a consolidated report from the fire brigade, power company, and forensic teams to determine the definitive cause.

Two Brothers, Two Theories

The investigation has been complicated by contradictory accounts from the Pugalia family’s surviving sons. Initially, Police Commissioner Santosh Singh pointed to a short circuit during the charging of a Tata Punch EV parked outside. Survivor Harshit, the younger son, supported this, stating he had plugged the car in at night.

However, the narrative shifted two days later when elder son Saurabh, during a visit by Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, rejected the EV theory. He alleged that a spark from a faulty electric pole near the house ignited the fire, a complaint the family claims was previously ignored. These conflicting versions have left investigators sifting through evidence to establish the primary ignition source.

Power Company Data Disputes Claims

As officials dig deeper, the West Zone Electricity Distribution Company has presented data challenging both theories. Officials stated the house had a smart meter that recorded minute-by-minute electricity consumption.

According to the data, the EV was plugged in at 11 PM and charged until approximately 3 AM, when a system fault triggered an automatic power cut-off. By 4:15 AM, the household load had dropped to zero. While the data confirms a technical fault, it does not conclusively pinpoint whether the fire originated from the vehicle or the external pole, leaving the question open for forensic analysis.

Floor-Wise Horror Unfolds

As the investigation continues, the tragic details of the night reveal a desperate struggle for survival. On the ground floor, owner Manoj Pugalia and his wife found their main door jammed as the metal expanded from the intense heat. Manoj, along with Vijay Sethia and Karthik, were later found dead near the door.

On the first floor, a balcony became a lifeline for Saurabh, Saumil, Harshit, and their mother, who were rescued by neighbours. But the second floor turned fatal. The staircase acted like a chimney, channeling toxic smoke upwards. Simran and Manoj Pugalia were found dead there, with Simran’s body discovered near the door, indicating a final attempt to escape.

Key Evidence Under Scrutiny

Investigators are relying on physical evidence to break the deadlock. Tilak Nagar police station in-charge Manish Lodha confirmed that all eight deaths were due to suffocation and burns, as per postmortem reports.

Critical evidence includes a severely damaged CCTV DVR, now sent for forensic recovery, and burnt electrical equipment seized to identify the fault’s origin. Experts from Tata Motors have also inspected the charred EV, and their report will be crucial in determining if a manufacturing defect played a role in the incident.

What Next for the Probe

With the exact cause still unclear, the investigation now hinges on a multi-agency report. The combined findings from the fire department, electricity company, and forensic experts are expected to provide the final answer. Until that report is submitted, the question of whether a vehicle charging fault or a failing power infrastructure led to the Indore blaze remains a central point of contention for authorities and the grieving families.

A quiet morning in Greater Brijeshwari Colony near Bengali Square turned into horror when an Indore EV fire claimed eight lives and left four others battling severe burns. The blaze started around 3:30 am on Wednesday when a short circuit in an electric car parked outside a three-storey house sparked a massive fire that quickly spread inside.

Rubber trader Manoj Pugalia’s home became a death trap within minutes. The fire reached LPG cylinders stored inside, causing one explosion after another. A sudden power cut jammed the electronic door locks, leaving people trapped with no escape route. Neighbours and a passer-by on morning walk raised the alarm, but by then eight were already inside the burning house.

Victims and Injured in Indore EV Fire

The dead include Manoj Pugalia’s daughter-in-law Simran (30) and seven relatives who had arrived from Kishanganj, Bihar, just a day earlier. Among them were Vijay Sethia (65), who had come to Indore for jaw cancer treatment, his wife Suman (60), son Chhotu (22), daughter-in-law Rashi (12), and others: Manoj Jain (60), Tinu (35) and Tanay (8).

Four survivors – Saurabh Pugalia (30), Sunita, Ashish (30) and Harshit Pugalia (25) – suffered serious burns and are under treatment at MGM Medical College. Post-mortems of seven victims are complete; two have been discharged.

How the Indore EV Fire Spread So Fast

Police Commissioner Santosh Kumar Singh said the house belonged to polymer businessman Manoj Pugalia and contained flammable chemicals that acted as fuel. Nine gas cylinders were inside. The short circuit at the EV charging point outside the house ignited the car, flames entered the home, and repeated cylinder blasts caused part of the building to collapse.

Manoj’s eldest son, who was outside during the fire, told reporters: “My sister, maternal uncle’s daughter, her two children, and my younger maternal uncle’s son arrived just yesterday. This incident happened the very next morning.”

Officials React and Raise Safety Concerns

Madhya Pradesh ministers rushed to the spot. Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya called it an “alarming situation in the era of EVs” and announced an expert committee will investigate. He also noted the fire brigade reached 30 minutes late. Minister Tulsi Silawat took stock of the situation on ground.

This is not the first such tragedy in Indore. Last year, on October 23, 2025, Congress leader Pravesh Agrawal died in a similar fire when digital locks malfunctioned during a blaze started in his home temple.

Urgent Lessons from Indore EV Fire

Experts and police are now urging EV owners to:

- Charge vehicles only in open, well-ventilated areas away from homes

- Avoid storing LPG cylinders near charging points

- Install manual override systems for electronic locks

- Keep fire extinguishers and smoke alarms updated

The Indore EV fire has once again highlighted growing risks as electric vehicles become common across India. While EVs promise a greener future, this tragedy shows that safety standards for charging and home storage must catch up fast.

Authorities have launched a full investigation. Families in Kishanganj and Indore are in mourning. As the city counts its losses, the message is clear: one short circuit should never cost eight innocent lives.