Spot Report from Ajmer: Four Dead in Hotel Blaze Triggered by Suspected AC Explosion
&nbsp;
A devastating fire broke out early Thursday morning at a five-storey hotel in the congested Diggi Bazaar locality of Ajmer, claiming the lives of four people, including a woman and a child. The incident has left the bustling market area in deep shock as questions mount over emergency preparedness and building safety.
According to eyewitnesses, a loud explosion was heard around 8:00 AM, believed to have originated from a malfunctioning air conditioning unit in one of the rooms. Moments later, flames rapidly engulfed the structure, sending guests into panic. Several were seen leaping from windows in a desperate attempt to escape the blaze.
&ldquo;I heard a loud blast, and within seconds, thick smoke was everywhere. I grabbed my wife and ran,&rdquo; said one hotel guest. In a particularly harrowing scene, a mother flung her child from a window to bystanders below. The child was safely caught and is reported to have sustained only minor injuries.
Emergency response, however, was severely hampered by the narrow approach lanes typical of the old market area. Firefighters reportedly arrived nearly 30 minutes after the first distress call, by which time local residents had already begun smashing windows and attempting rescues on their own.
Additional Superintendent of Police Himanshu Jangid, who was present at the scene, acknowledged that the congested surroundings made access difficult for fire and rescue services. &ldquo;The narrow lanes delayed response time significantly,&rdquo; he said.
Medical officials at Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital, where all casualties were taken, confirmed the deaths were due to a combination of suffocation and severe burn injuries. Dr Anil Samaria, Principal of JLN Medical College, confirmed that two men, one woman, and one child had died. Five others remain under treatment, including the rescued child.
Several rescue workers were also treated for smoke inhalation and heat exhaustion. Dr Arvind Khare, Superintendent at JLN Hospital, said the condition of those injured was stable as of Thursday afternoon.
Preliminary investigations suggest the fire may have been caused by a short circuit. However, authorities have launched a full probe into the incident, including the hotel&rsquo;s fire safety compliance and the delay in emergency response.
As smoke continued to waft from the charred remnants of the building well into the afternoon, the once-bustling Diggi Bazaar area has fallen silent, stunned by the tragedy. Local officials are urging other establishments in the area to review their safety protocols immediately.
&nbsp;

Police and firefighters are trying to free people who are stuck in a hotel.

AC blast suspected as cause of Diggi Bazaar blaze; narrow lanes slowed fire response

4 Dead in Ajmer Hotel Fire Amid Rescue Delays

AC blast suspected as cause of Diggi Bazaar blaze; narrow lanes slowed fire response

May 1, 2025 | 12:01 IST