Around 13 people including children were rescued after a lamp lit for a prayer set a doctor's bungalow ablaze in Noida on Friday.

Two firemen also had medical issues after the rescue operation due to the thick smoke. However, no casualties were reported and the fire was controlled in around an hour.

According to Arun Kumar Singh, the Chief Fire Officer, around 10:20 AM, the fire department received a call about a fire in the D block of Sector 20 after which two fire tenders were rushed to the spot initially and later two more were sent to the spot. 

“The fire had broken out on the first floor of a doctor's house. The fire had taken place because of the lamp lit for the prayer. It spread rapidly across due to the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) paneling, false ceiling and foam in the furniture. There was thick black smoke all over,” said the chief fire officer. When the fire officials started to control the fire, it was found that some people were present on the first and second floor of the house. It was difficult to go through the staircase because of the thick smoke.

“However, the fire department personnel wearing Breathing Operator Set entered through the staircase. The people struck on the two floors were rescued through the terrace and safely transferred on the neighborhood's terrace using a ladder,” said Singh. “During the rescue and cooling process, two fire personnel had medical complications due to the thick smoke and high temperature.

The two were identified as leading firemen Mahipal Singh and fireman Nizamuddin. They were rushed to the Apollo hospital in sector 26 and Joint Commissioner of Police Love Kumar also visited to check upon their health,” said the chief fire officer.