India, April 2 -- A desperate dash through raging flames and suffocating smoke was the only way out for Jasvindar Singh, who worked at a property dealer's office on the fifth floor of Krishna Apra Plaza in Noida's Sector 18.

"I just ran towards the exit, right through the raging fire and thick smoke to save my life," said Singh, one of 14 injured in the devastating fire at Krishna Apra Plaza on Tuesday morning.

Singh, who hails from Agra and resides in Noida's Sector 36 in Noida, said, "I was at my desk when we noticed the smoke. At first, a colleague dismissed it as a minor short-circuit somewhere. But when we opened the door, we were stunned-thick smoke was rapidly engulfing the building."

Panic spread quickly. A few of his colleague...