A massive overnight fire ravaged a cluster of scrap warehouses near Bardoli in Surat district, ultimately reducing at least ten such units to ashes. The incident, which began in the early hours of Monday, saw a dangerous resurgence due to strong winds, challenging firefighting teams for several hours.
Timeline of a Raging Blaze
The district fire control room received an emergency alert around 2:30 am on Monday. The initial fire broke out in one warehouse and quickly spread to three adjacent structures. Fire crews managed to bring this first blaze under control by approximately 4:30 am. However, the situation took a turn for the worse when strong winds reignited the embers, causing the fire to spread aggressively to neighbouring warehouses.
The presence of large stocks of plastic material in the warehouses acted as a potent accelerant, contributing to the fire's rapid spread and intensity. The plume of thick, black smoke was so dense that it was visible from a distance of two kilometres.
Heroic Firefighting Efforts and Injuries
Controlling the inferno required a massive coordinated effort. Firefighting teams were rushed in from Bardoli, Kamrej, Vyara, and nearby industrial zones. A total of around 15 fire tenders and approximately 100 firefighters and officials were deployed to the site.
During the intense operation, one fire officer, Pragnesh Gadhvi, sustained minor injuries. Fortunately, as the warehouses were unoccupied at the time the fire started, no other injuries or fatalities were reported among civilians. Police and district administration officials were also present at the scene to manage the situation and support the fire services.
Aftermath and Ongoing Investigation
The main fire was finally brought under control by noon on Monday. However, as a precautionary measure, cooling operations—where firefighters douse hot spots to prevent re-ignition—continued until Monday evening.
The swift and large-scale response by the fire department was crucial in preventing loss of life and containing the damage to the warehouse complex. The exact cause of the initial fire remains unknown and an official investigation has been launched to determine its origin. Authorities are examining all angles to understand what sparked the devastating incident.
