Rajkot: Firefighters faced significant challenges while battling a blaze at a gold processing unit in Soni Bazaar late on Friday night, prompting the Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) to seal the premises on Tuesday. This action underscores the civic body's stricter approach toward unauthorized commercial structures in the congested core of the city.
Fire Incident at Gold Polishing Unit
A fire broke out at Diya Gold Polishing, located on Derasarwali Sheri near Soni Bazaar Main Road, on Friday night. The property was sealed by the town planning department on Tuesday under the guidance of town planner H M Sorathia, in Ward 7 of the Central Zone.
The RMC clarified that no goods were seized during the sealing process. Officials stated that the action was taken following findings of unauthorized construction carried out by the property owner, Sanjay Luva. The sealing was conducted in the presence of officers from the town planning branch.
Continued Crackdown on Illegal Constructions
Civic officials indicated that similar actions against illegal constructions are likely to continue in the coming days. The department has intensified checks to enforce urban development rules and prevent unauthorized commercial activity in the area.
Firefighting Challenges
Fire department officials reported that they rushed to the spot upon receiving an alert about the blaze. Initial inquiries revealed that the fire was triggered by a short circuit during the gold melting process. The flames spread rapidly, reaching the terrace, and a cylinder explosion was also reported.
Amit Dave, in-charge chief fire officer, told TOI that firefighters encountered major access problems due to the narrow street. “There was no possibility of fire tenders reaching the spot, so a 700–800 foot hose had to be laid. Firefighting had to be carried out from the roof of a neighbouring property,” he said.
An estimated 40 firefighters worked for two hours to extinguish the blaze. The forensic science laboratory report on the exact cause of the fire is still awaited.
This incident highlights the risks posed by unauthorized constructions in densely populated areas, not only in terms of legal violations but also in hampering emergency response efforts.
