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Ghaziabad AC service centre fire kills 70-year-old; 12 vehicles gutted; short circuit suspected
A fire at a Ghaziabad air conditioner service centre in Patel Nagar early on May 9, 2026 gutted 12 vehicles and led to the death of a 70-year-old man. Officials say the blaze likely started from a ground-floor short circuit and spread due to stored gas cylinders and AC compressors; the fire was extinguished after about two hours.
Why It Matters
The incident underscores fire-safety risks in multi-use commercial facilities with stored gas and heavy electrical equipment, highlighting the need for stricter safety compliance and emergency planning.
Timeline
6 Events
Officials cite suspected short circuit as fire origin
May 9, 2026
Authorities indicated the fire was suspected to have begun from a short circuit on the ground floor and spread due to the gas cylinders and AC compressors stored there; blasts were reported in the cylinders and compressors.
Loss estimated at around ₹2 crore
May 9, 2026
Officials said the loss of resources was estimated at around ₹2 crore.
Fire extinguished after about two hours
May 9, 2026
The fire was completely doused in about two hours of firefighting.
Triloki Nath found dead; autopsy ordered
May 9, 2026
During the search, Triloki Nath, a 70-year-old man, was found dead on the ground floor. An autopsy was ordered to determine the cause of death. Omkar Tomar, the service centre owner, said Nath had been sleeping on the ground floor with seven other workers.
Fire department receives call; eight tenders dispatched
May 9, 2026
The fire department received a call around 3:05 am, and eight fire tenders were sent to the spot from Vaishali, Sahibabad, and Modinagar.
Fire begins on ground floor of Ghaziabad AC service centre
May 9, 2026
Fire broke out on the ground floor of a two-storey air-conditioner service centre in Patel Nagar, Ghaziabad, around 2.45-3:00 am on Saturday. Officials said the blaze started on the ground floor and spread quickly due to gas cylinders and AC compressors stored there. Two cars and ten two-wheelers inside the premises were gutted, and a 70-year-old man, Triloki Nath, was later found on the ground floor during the search.