Massive Fire Engulfs Shyam Sangini Textile Market in Surat

SURAT :  A massive midnight blaze at the Shyam Sangini textile market in Saroli turned into a prolonged firefighting operation as flames tore through synthetic textile stocks on the sixth floor, spread to lower floors and gutted around 15 to 17 shops and two godowns. One firefighter was injured during the operation.

The fire department received an emergency call at 12:12 am, following which an initial fleet of five to six fire vehicles rushed to the market. Thick black smoke and flames emerging from the fifth and sixth floors prompted officials to issue a brigade call, bringing more than 15 fire tenders, a turntable ladder and around 150 personnel into action.

Although the fire was partially brought under control by morning, pockets repeatedly reignited, prolonging the operation for more than 10 hours.

Divisional Fire Officer Hitesh Thakor said the nature of the material made the firefighting particularly difficult.“Since the sarees stored on the sixth floor are petrochemical-type materials, they are acting as fuel. Due to heat, smoke and a chain reaction, the fire repeatedly ignited from one shop to another,” Thakor said.

Trader Anup Jalan said the blaze destroyed months of preparation ahead of the festive season.

“Approximaely 15 to 17 shops, including mine, have been burnt to ashes. Hundreds of packed parcels and ready-made goods have been destroyed,” Jalan said.

Firefighters also struggled with zero visibility and blocked passages, where large quantities of cloth had reportedly been stored. Power supply to the building was disconnected as a precaution.

Surat Municipal Corporation Deputy Commissioner Dharmesh Mistry said the building had a renewed fire safety NOC and its fire system had responded initially.

However, authorities ordered the entire building to remain closed. “A complete electrical audit as well as structural stability audit will be conducted and the fire safety system will be fully re-activated,” Mistry said.

The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.