A significant fire erupted on Tuesday morning at the Vrajeshwari Complex, located near the Viratnagar bridge on the busy Narol–Naroda Highway in Ahmedabad. The blaze, which raged for nearly 90 minutes, completely gutted 18 shops before firefighting teams managed to bring it under control.
Rapid Spread and Intense Firefighting Efforts
According to officials from the Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services (AFES), the fire originated in an oil shop situated on the ground floor of the two-storey commercial block. The flames spread with alarming speed, quickly engulfing adjoining units within the complex. Dense, billowing smoke filled the area, causing panic as the fire leapt across the structure.
Firefighters faced a challenging task in containing the intense blaze. Approximately 50 foam cans were deployed in the operation to douse the flames and prevent further devastation. The combined effort of multiple fire teams over the long duration was crucial in finally subduing the fire.
A Close Call for Residential Society
The incident took a potentially more dangerous turn due to the complex's proximity to a residential area. The rear of the Vrajeshwari Complex is adjacent to the Shri Om Society, which houses 43 residential units. An AFES officer highlighted the grave risk, noting that the society's sole entry gate opens through the very same commercial block that was on fire.
The fire broke out barely 50 feet from this critical access point. A senior fire officer stated that had the flames reached the shop located next to the gate, residents would have faced severe difficulties in escaping. "It could have turned into a serious rescue situation," the officer remarked, underscoring how a major tragedy was narrowly averted.
Cause and Aftermath
Fortunately, despite the scale of the fire and the initial panic, no injuries or casualties were reported in the incident. Preliminary investigations by the fire department point towards a suspected electrical short circuit as the likely cause of the blaze. However, authorities have clarified that a final conclusive report on the origin is still awaited.
The event has caused substantial material loss for the shop owners and raised concerns about fire safety in mixed-use complexes. The quick response by the AFES likely prevented the fire from causing even greater damage and potentially endangering lives in the nearby residential society.
