A major fire broke out in a multi-use commercial building in Bhavnagar on Tuesday morning, triggering a large-scale rescue operation that saved 19 individuals, among them six young children. The incident caused significant alarm but, fortunately, resulted in no loss of life.
Three-Hour Battle to Control the Blaze
The fire erupted in the Samip Complex, a three-storey structure situated directly behind the Bhavnagar Civil Hospital. The building houses at least two hospitals, several medical laboratories, and other shops, making it a busy hub. According to officials, the flames were confined to the basement area. However, thick, toxic smoke and soot quickly spread through the stairwell, rising to the upper floors and trapping people inside.
Firefighters from the Bhavnagar Fire and Emergency Services (BFES) were alerted and reached the scene by 9:50 am. Chief Fire Officer Pradyumansinh Jadeja stated that it took his team approximately three hours to fully bring the raging fire under control. A substantial force of 50 firefighters utilizing five firefighting vehicles was deployed for the challenging operation.
Dramatic Rescue Using External Ladders
With the main staircase rendered impassable due to intense smoke, the rescue teams had to employ alternative methods. They used an external ladder to reach and evacuate those stranded on the higher floors. The most critical rescues were from a pediatric facility operating within the complex.
All 19 rescued persons, which included the six children, were safely brought down. Following their evacuation, they were promptly transported to another hospital via ambulance for medical check-ups as a precautionary measure. Officials confirmed that there were no serious injuries or casualties reported from the incident.
Property Damage and Ongoing Investigation
While human life was spared, the fire caused considerable material damage. The basement, where the fire originated, was being used as a parking area. Twelve two-wheelers and four cars parked there were completely gutted in the blaze. The exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined, and investigations are likely underway to ascertain what sparked the incident in the basement of the Samip Complex.
The successful rescue operation in Bhavnagar highlights the critical role of swift emergency response. It also brings focus to the fire safety challenges in densely occupied urban buildings, especially those with mixed medical and commercial use.
