Major Fire Ravages Kozhikode Textile Showroom, Prompt Evacuation Prevents Casualties
A significant fire erupted at a prominent textile showroom in Kozhikode on Tuesday evening, resulting in substantial damage to the property. The blaze originated at Jayalakshmi Silks, located on Annie Hall Road in the Palayam area, around 6 PM.
Fire Origin and Rapid Spread
The fire started at the rear side of the third floor of the building and quickly spread to the upper floor. As the flames intensified, interior panels burned and collapsed, while glass panes shattered with loud explosions, adding to the chaos.
Evacuation and Hospitalizations
A major tragedy was averted as staff and customers were evacuated immediately after smoke was detected. However, two staff members experienced discomfort due to smoke inhalation and were hospitalized for treatment. No casualties were reported, thanks to the swift evacuation efforts.
Firefighting Operations
Fire and rescue services personnel worked tirelessly for over three hours to bring the blaze under control, finally succeeding by 9:15 PM. The operation involved:
- Deployment of several fire tenders from various parts of the district.
- A fire tender from the Calicut International Airport was also utilized.
- By 7:30 PM, external flames were controlled, allowing firefighters to access the third floor via a staircase.
- The fire was extinguished by spraying water simultaneously from three vehicles.
Safety Measures and Previous Incident
To prevent further danger, power supply to the area was cut off, and parked vehicles were removed from the vicinity. Notably, this building had experienced a fire in April 2023, which damaged a few vehicles parked on the compound, highlighting ongoing safety concerns.
The incident underscores the importance of robust fire safety protocols in commercial establishments, especially in densely populated urban areas like Kozhikode.
