A fire broke out early Saturday morning at a residential building in Ahmedabad, reportedly due to an overloaded battery while charging a three-wheeler used by Havmor ice cream’s distribution unit. The battery explosion triggered a blaze that engulfed three tricycles parked on the ground floor of the building used as a distribution centre for Havmor Ice Cream.

Five people were trapped on the first floor when the fire spread. In a desperate attempt to save themselves, two of them jumped from the first floor.

One of them sustained a head injury and was taken to the hospital for treatment.

One other person was rescued by the fire brigade, while the remaining three managed to escape through a balcony and across the rooftop of an adjacent building.

A video of the incident that happened in the Saijpur-Bogha area has gone viral on social media. It shows the exact moment two people jump from the first floor, followed by others navigating their way down using a balcony and a neighbouring roof.

According to the fire brigade, they received a call at 6:12 am and managed to bring the fire under complete control by 7:25 am. The fire caused panic in the two-storey building, which had been leased out for commercial use even though it is in a residential zone.

Havmor’s ice cream distribution unit was being operated from the premises.

The thick smoke that followed the battery fire spread rapidly, making it extremely difficult to see anything in the area. Authorities say the fire was likely triggered by an overload in the battery of one of the tricycles during charging. Further investigation is underway.