A major tragedy was averted during the screening of Chhaava at PVR Cinemas in Select CityWalk Mall, Saket, New Delhi, on Wednesday. Around 170 people were swiftly evacuated after a fire broke out during the show. The blaze was quickly brought under control, and police confirmed that there were no injuries or casualties.
The timely evacuation and swift response by the fire department played a crucial role in preventing potential loss of life and serious injuries.
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The fire broke out at around 5.30 pm in the evening in Audi 3 of the PVR. As per the police, "Smoke was noticed in the upper right corner side roof with some sparking. The cinema staff and security got the hall vacated. All the 170 members of the audience were evacuated safely. Fire tenders and local police reached the spot immediately,"
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As thick smoke filled the auditorium and flames flickered near the screen, panic took over. Moviegoers scrambled for the exits, their excitement turning into fear within moments.
"Came to watch Chhaava, and just as the movie was about to start, the fire alarm went off," shared one user on X. "There was a fire in the nearby auditorium, and we all had to evacuate. I've never experienced anything like this before."
The evening that was supposed to be about entertainment quickly turned into a chaotic rush for safety, leaving many shaken.
What Happened?
An officer of Delhi Fire Services said they received a call about the fire at 5.42 pm and six fire tenders were rushed to the spot. However, it was a small fire and no one was injured, he said, adding the blaze was contained by 5.55 pm. Delhi Police said they received a call about the fire at 5.57 pm from Saket Citywalk Mall.
"We got a call about the fire and the caller informed police that some people are trapped inside. Teams were immediately rushed to the spot and the flames were doused. No one was injured due to the fire," police in a statement said.
At 5:44 PM, the Delhi Fire Service received a distress call, and within moments, six fire tenders rushed to the scene. Firefighters and emergency teams worked swiftly, bringing the blaze under control before it could escalate.
Though the flames were doused quickly, the chaos and fear lingered. Many people were left shaken, with the incident raising serious concerns about public fire safety in crowded spaces like cinemas.