Panic struck Nandini Layout in Bengaluru as a significant fire erupted at a paying guest accommodation, leading over 30 women residents to leap from the building to escape. The incident, captured in viral videos and CCTV footage, has sparked concerns about safety protocols in PG facilities across Bengaluru. Eyewitnesses praised the swift response and evacuation efforts that averted a major tragedy, with local residents also aiding in the rescue operations before emergency services arrived.
The fire, suspected to have started from a short circuit in a nearby LED banner shop’s wiring, began around 12:40 A.M. on Monday. It swiftly engulfed the adjacent four-storey PG building, filling it with thick smoke and leaving residents with no choice but to jump to safety as flames intensified and escape routes were blocked. CCTV footage depicted the harrowing scenes of young women in night attire desperately leaping from the building as the fire raged on.
Despite the chaos and panic captured in the videos, authorities confirmed that no casualties were reported in the incident. Investigations are ongoing to pinpoint the fire’s exact cause and evaluate safety adherence in the affected structures. This incident echoes a similar tragedy in December 2025 when a gas cylinder explosion at a PG accommodation in Kundalahalli claimed a life and injured three others, exposing serious safety violations and lax enforcement in Bengaluru’s PG establishments.
In the aftermath of the Kundalahalli incident, authorities discovered widespread safety deficiencies in many PG accommodations, including the absence of fire exits, illegal use of commercial LPG cylinders in kitchens, and non-compliance with building regulations. Subsequent inspections resulted in fines and closures of several PGs due to severe fire safety breaches, underscoring the urgent need for improved safety standards in such facilities.
