Surat : Massive Fire at Millennium-1 Textile Market Guts Crores Worth Fabric

Surat | Gujarat — Panic gripped Surat’s bustling textile district on Saturday morning after a massive fire tore through the top floor of Millennium-1 Textile Market near Kamela Darwaja, reducing crores of rupees worth of fabric to ashes within minutes.

The blaze erupted around 10:30 am, sending thick plumes of black smoke billowing across the Ring Road skyline. In a market housing nearly 3,600 shops, the fire engulfed 5 to 7 units on the top floor, triggering chaos among traders and workers.

Known as one of Asia’s largest textile trading hubs, the market was stocked with high-value sarees, synthetic fabrics, silk materials and intricately designed chaniya cholis prepared for the ongoing wedding season. Within moments, flames devoured the highly combustible stock.

17 Fire Engines Rushed

Recognising the scale of the emergency, the Surat Fire Brigade issued a ‘brigade call’, mobilising 15 to 17 fire tenders from more than 10 fire stations across the city. Firefighters faced severe ventilation challenges due to dense smoke trapped inside the upper floors.

Harish Hedu, Deputy Chief of Limbayat Zone, confirmed the scale of the operation. “We received information about fire in 5 to 6 shops on the top floor. Considering the intensity, additional vehicles were dispatched immediately. The situation is now under control, and cooling operations are underway,” he said.

Senior officers, including the Deputy Commissioner, rushed to the spot to monitor rescue and firefighting efforts.

Crores Worth Goods Destroyed

Traders said the affected shops had recently stocked premium festive collections. “Fancy sarees and heavy worked chaniya cholis worth crores were ready for dispatch. Everything was burnt within minutes,” said a trader whose neighbouring shop narrowly escaped damage.

The presence of synthetic and silk fabrics accelerated the spread of flames, while thick smoke could be seen from several kilometres away. As a precaution, surrounding shops were shut down, and thousands of traders evacuated the premises.

Relief After Hours of Battle

After hours of relentless firefighting, the blaze was finally brought under control. The cooling process is currently ongoing to prevent any flare-ups.

“This is now a matter of investigation. Only after a detailed probe can we determine the exact cause and assess the total loss,” Hedu added.

Despite the scale of destruction, no major casualties have been reported — a fact that traders described as a “huge relief” amid devastating financial losses.

While the fire has been extinguished, smoke continues to linger inside the massive complex. Cleaning operations and damage assessment are expected to take several days.