Surat Spa-Gym Fire: Safety Lapses Questioned

Surat : The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) and the Surat city police appear to have overlooked important lessons following the tragic fire at the Rajkot game zone that resulted in the loss of 27 lives. In a tragic event, two young girls lost their lives due to asphyxiation after a major fire broke out at the Amritaya Spa and Gym-11, situated at the Shivpuja complex, facing the Jansampark office of Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi in the affluent City Light area late Wednesday night.

A fire erupted in the gym, causing smoke to spread to the spa, resulting in the fatal suffocation of two spa employees. The spa operated by dividing the gym space. The fire department was unaware when questioned about the NOC of Spa and Gym. 

Emergency responders were notified soon after the situation unfolded, leading to the deployment of several firefighters to the location. 

Fire Officer Krishna Modh, who spearheaded the firefighting efforts, reported that approximately 10-12 fire engines were dispatched, with firefighters utilizing water cannons to manage and put out the blaze. “We have recovered the bodies of two women who died from suffocation,” Krishna confirmed, adding that efforts to control the fire are still in progress.

Reports indicate that approximately four female staff members and a security guard were in the Spa and Gym at the time of the fire incident. As the guard and two girls rapidly made their escape upon detecting the smoke, the two unfortunate girls sought refuge in the washroom, convinced it would protect them from the raging fire outside. Unfortunately, both girls succumbed to asphyxiation caused by the heavy smoke that filled the washroom area.

The two girls employed at the spa are originally from Sikkim. The individuals who lost their lives have been identified as Limu and Manisha Roy. Manisha made her way to Surat last month. Manisha’s sister revealed that she had no knowledge of Manisha’s employment at the Spa. 

Tragic events unfolded as a fire erupted in Rajkot’s game zone, resulting in the loss of innocent lives. Following the incident, the Surat fire department promptly initiated sealing operations focused on fire safety, raising questions about the construction of the buildings involved. The matter remains underexplored. Were the authorities taking the situation seriously by inspecting the premises if both the gym and the spa were operating simultaneously? Questions arise regarding the operation of the spa located upstairs, particularly concerning the adequacy of its exit and the lack of immediate action from the authorities at that time. The Mayor has indicated a desire to take action against the officer in question, yet the ultimate accountability for this situation remains uncertain.

The construction of the complex and the location of the incident reveal numerous defects that are now becoming apparent. Significantly, following the fire in the gym, the smoke made its way to the spa. Amritaya Spa was operating on the upper level, separated from Gym 11 by partitions. The key consideration is whether it was allowed under the law. The identities of the gym owner and spa operator have come to light, with Shah Nawaz owning the gym and Waseem operating the spa. The question of whether they obtained the necessary permissions is currently under scrutiny.  

Officials from the Surat municipal corporation have not yet provided any clarification regarding this issue. A team of employees from the Surat Municipal Corporation arrived at the scene of the incident during the late hours of the night. Do the officials know that the gym and the spa were operating simultaneously? The manner in which they obtained permission is a significant topic of investigation.