Noida: A suspected gas leak on the ground floor of a two-storey labour camp in Raipur village, Sector 126, on Tuesday. Around 60 workers were evacuated as flames spread rapidly and engulfed their belongings. Thick black smoke blanketed the area, sending residents into panic.Chief fire officer Pradeep Kumar Chaubey said the incident occurred at around 6.20am. The fire quickly spread to the upper floor, filling the building with thick smoke and flames. Most of the workers were asleep when the blaze erupted.Officials said a few workers noticed smoke and flames and immediately raised an alarm, waking up others staying in the camp. Eyewitnesses said frightened workers rushed out of their rooms and ran to safety as the fire intensified. Within minutes, all 60 workers evacuated the building.The labourers, who belong to different states across the country, are employed at various construction projects in and around the area.The fire department had initially received information that a few people might be trapped in the building. They dispatched five fire tenders to the spot. By the time firefighters arrived, the workers had already exited the camp but the flames had spread across a major portion of the building.After nearly one hour and 40 minutes of continuous efforts, the fire was brought completely under control. Teams later conducted a thorough inspection of the structure to ensure that no one was trapped inside and that there was no possibility of the fire reigniting.A preliminary investigation suggests that a gas leak may have triggered the fire. However, it is yet to be confirmed. Fire and police officers have advised camp operators to strictly follow safety norms and ensure the safe handling of LPG cylinders and other inflammable materials to prevent similar incidents.
