Krishna Apra Plaza, a commercial hub in Sector 18 housing nearly 50 occupied offices and food outlets out of approximately 100 office spaces, has operated without basic fire safety measures due to a dispute between the occupants' association and builder Ashok Wadiya over ownership transfer.

A major fire broke out earlier in the week, injuring 14 people. Four of the building's five exits are blocked. The occupants' association has only six maintenance staff: one electrician, three sweepers, two guards.

Association member KC Sharma stated the plaza has received no funds for fire safety improvements and urges the builder to transfer ownership so they can maintain the premises. The association struggled to raise ₹7 lakh three months ago to settle water department dues.

Arun Gupta, who owns the real estate office where the fire started, said the association approached the fire department more than five times in two years about fire safety and exit blockages, receiving only assurances that notices were sent.

Builder Wadiya claims he completed paperwork and transferred the property to the occupants' association and has no further involvement.

Fire officials confirmed sending multiple notices over the years without satisfactory response. The last notice was sent in December 2024. Gautam Budh Nagar's chief fire officer Pradeep Chaubey announced the department will cut the electricity supply to the building. Under the new Uttar Pradesh Fire and Emergency Services Rules 2024, building owners must now renew fire no-objection certificates every six months, previously three years.