Surat, September 9 (Daily Kiran) : A devastating fire erupted late Wednesday night at the Shyam Sangini Textile Market in the Saroli area of Surat, Gujarat. Firefighting efforts were immediately launched, and thankfully, there were no reported injuries.
The blaze spread rapidly, consuming multiple shops and producing thick plumes of smoke visible from a distance. Flames engulfed the fourth and fifth floors of the building, prompting a swift response from the local fire department.
More than 25 fire engines, including a turntable hydraulic platform, and approximately 150 firefighters were dispatched to the scene. Firefighters faced significant challenges due to the height of the flames.
Basant Parikh, the Chief Fire Officer of Surat Municipal Corporation, reported that the fire was first detected around 12:50 AM. Fire engines were sent through three gates to tackle the inferno. Upon arrival, officials noted that the upper floors were completely engulfed in flames, with dense smoke obscuring visibility.
A brigade call was subsequently declared, and additional fire tenders were summoned from nearby areas. A total of 20 to 22 fire engines, hydraulic platforms, and turntable ladders were deployed. Firefighting operations were conducted from heights of about 30 meters, necessitating the breaking of locks and cutting through shop shutters to access the flames.
Parikh explained that the textile market primarily deals with synthetic materials, which can act like petrol in a fire. Kailash Hakim, chairman of FOSTA Surat, and businessman Pramod Jain added that the market is a hub for polyester and petrochemical-based textiles, which ignite easily and produce significant smoke.
According to traders, around 17 to 18 shops on the sixth floor were completely destroyed. However, they noted that for safety reasons, the main power supply to the market is typically shut off by 11 PM, leaving the exact cause of the fire unclear at this time.
Officials stated that the situation is currently under control, but complete cooling operations may take an additional three to four hours to finish.
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