Massive Fire at Vatva GIDC Solvent Factory Sparks Panic

Ahmedabad : A massive fire engulfed Alkesh Enterprise Ltd, a solvent factory located in Vatva GIDC Phase-1, on Monday afternoon, causing panic among residents and workers in the vicinity. Thick plumes of black smoke were visible from several kilometres away, underscoring the intensity of the blaze.  

As per the report, the Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services (AFES) control room received the alert around 1:45 PM. Initially, two fire tenders were dispatched to the site. However, upon arrival, the fire was found to be far more severe than anticipated. The fire spread rapidly due to the presence of highly flammable solvents stored within the factory premises.  

Realising the gravity of the situation, additional support was called in. A total of 18 fire vehicles, including water tankers and engines, along with 35 firefighters and senior officers, were deployed to contain the inferno. Firefighters worked relentlessly for over four hours to douse the flames, followed by a cooling operation to prevent re-ignition.  

Speaking about the operation, Divisional Fire Officer Om Jadeja said, “The presence of solvents in the factory posed a significant challenge, but our team acted swiftly. We managed to prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent industrial units, thereby averting a potential disaster.”  

A 50-year-old man, identified as Shukla, sustained burn injuries to his hand due to exposure to burning chemicals. He was immediately rushed to the hospital for treatment.

“Currently, the fire is under control, and the cooling process is ongoing. Once the search operation is complete, we will provide more details regarding any potential casualties,” added Jadeja.  

While the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, initial findings suggest that the highly flammable nature of the solvents stored on the premises played a critical role in the rapid escalation of the blaze. Authorities have evacuated nearby areas as a precautionary measure.