You’re asleep on the 21st floor. Suddenly, smoke fills the hallway. You rush to the stairwell; only to find the fire alarm silent, the hydrants dry, and no fire truck tall enough to reach you. This isn’t a nightmare. It happened in Noida. And it could happen again; anywhere. In April, Ghaziabad’s Gaur Green Avenue burned for 3 hours while firefighters’ hoses barely reached 25 feet. In June, Aranya Society’s 21st floor caught fire; saved only because its internal system was working. But what if it wasn’t? Uttar Pradesh’s fire services admit: they can only reach up to 14 floors. Beyond that? You’re on your own. And with 65 fire deaths already in 2026; including 15 students in Lucknow; the system isn’t just outdated. It’s dangerously unprepared. High-rises are rising. Fire trucks aren’t. And no one’s holding builders or municipalities accountable. Delhi’s 25-year fire plan? Still waiting for approval. Until then, living above the 14th floor isn’t just luxury; it’s risk by default.