A devastating fire ripped through the basement of a commercial complex in Yelachenahalli, Bengaluru, on Thursday morning, destroying 19 electric vehicles, primarily bikes. The incident, which occurred on Kanakapura Road, is believed to have been sparked by a short circuit. Fortunately, no one was injured, as the complex was empty due to a public holiday.
Bystanders first noticed thick smoke billowing from the multi-storey building’s basement at approximately 7:45 AM and promptly alerted the Fire and Emergency Control Room. Two fire tenders and rescue teams swiftly responded, working for four hours to bring the intense blaze under control.
Preliminary investigations by a senior fire officer suggest that the fire originated at a charging point within the basement, which also housed an electric vehicle showroom.
The K.S. Layout police are now conducting a thorough investigation. They are actively collecting CCTV footage from within and around the building to determine the exact cause of the fire. Authorities are also awaiting official reports from electrical inspectorates and fire service officials to identify any potential lapses that might have contributed to the unfortunate incident.