'Never Buy Above The 5th Floor': Noida High-Rise Fire Sparks Debate As Viral Video Questions Firefighting Readiness

A fire that broke out on the 12th floor of a Noida apartment tower has sparked a wider debate online about the safety of India’s rapidly growing high-rise developments and the ability of emergency services to respond effectively to such incidents.

The debate gained momentum after an X user, @PunsterX, shared a video from the scene, claiming that firefighting equipment was unable to effectively reach the upper floors of the building. The user highlighted what they described as a major concern surrounding high-rise living in India.

Sharing visuals from the incident, the user wrote, “Fire is in the 12th floor. Fire brigade pumps are reaching till the 5th-6th floor. Moral of the story: Never buy a house in a high-rise in India. Even if you have to,

never buy anything beyond the 5th floor.”

According to reports, the fire broke out at around 7 am on Friday in a residential society located in Sector 75, Noida. Flames engulfed a flat on the 12th floor of a 28-storey tower, sending thick plumes of black smoke into the air.

Videos recorded by residents and bystanders quickly circulated online, showing the blaze and the emergency response operation underway.

Authorities managed to bring the fire under control, and no injuries or fatalities were reported. However, the incident prompted many social media users to question whether existing fire safety infrastructure is adequate for the increasing number of high-rise residential complexes being constructed across Indian cities.

As the post gained traction online, users flooded the comment section with concerns, criticism and suggestions regarding emergency preparedness and building approvals.

One user questioned the logic behind permitting the construction of tall buildings if emergency services are unable to respond effectively at such heights. The user wrote, “If the fire brigade does not have the resources to reach till 12th floor… why the suthorities sre giving permission for high rise buildings… the officers need to be suspended… they are playing with human life in collusion with builder lobby,”

Another commenter compared India’s firefighting capabilities with technological developments elsewhere, saying, “China already has fire fighting drones that can cater High rises and here we are, citizens are building High rises putting their money into that but government still living in stone age,”

Fire is in the 12th floor. Fire brigade pumps are reaching till the 5th-6th floor.

Moral of the story:

Never buy a house in a high-rise in India. Even if you have to, never buy anything beyond the 5th floor. pic.twitter.com/zkf0BZSZLx

— PunsterX (@PunsterX) June 5, 2026

A third user expressed concern over the burden of safety responsibilities on residents, writing, “What next, every society needs to have their own Fire Brigade? Maintenance is on the people living there? Hope everyone there is safe and sound,”

Some users also weighed in on the firefighting response itself. One comment read, “Illiterate firemen. When water is not reaching beyond 5th floor why wasting it. Ideally a fireman should run to the floor below the fire. Pull up the hose with the help of a rope & then spray water on the above floor,”

Another user summed up their frustration by writing, “Public safety is joke in India . People die on potholes n in sky too,”