AHMEDABAD: A massive fire ripped through the famous Shyam Sangini textile market in Surat's Saroli area on Wednesday, triggering a 10-hour firefighting operation. The flames only grew, charring the buildings.
The blaze reportedly broke out at midnight on the upper floors. The fire quickly spread to other floors, prompting the Surat Fire Department to issue a full-scale “brigade call” across the city.
Although firefighters managed to partially bring the fire under control by the morning, the relief proved short-lived.
Flames that appeared to have been controlled flared up again, spreading from one shop to another, forcing fire personnel to continue the high-risk operation for hours.
The fire control room received the first alert at around 12:00 am. Initially, five to six fire vehicles, along with senior fire officials, were rushed to the spot. However, after teams arrived and witnessed towering flames and thick black smoke engulfing the upper floors, the scale of the emergency became clear, and a brigade call was immediately issued.
More than 10 fire tenders and specialised equipment, including turntable ladders for high-rise firefighting, were deployed during the initial phase.
Eventually, the operation expanded significantly, with approximately 20 fire engines, turntable ladders and around 100 officers and fire personnel pressed into service.
Chief Fire Officer Basant Parikh said the presence of synthetic material inside the building created extremely hazardous conditions. “The smoke was as dense as smoke from burning plastic, and visibility dropped to virtually zero during the night. Entering the building immediately was impossible," he said.
"Therefore, water was first sprayed from outside using hydraulic platforms, after which firefighters entered wearing breathing apparatus sets, fire suits and using light masts to continue the operation,” Parikh said.
Divisional Fire Officer Hitesh Thakor said the large quantity of sarees stored on the sixth floor further intensified the blaze.
“Many of the sarees were made from petrochemical-based synthetic material, which acted like fuel. Heat, dense smoke and a chain reaction caused the fire to repeatedly reignite and spread from one shop to another,” Thakor said, adding that the situation was eventually brought under control.
Firefighters, however, faced another major obstacle inside the market. Since the building was closed from all sides, thick smoke accumulated inside, severely hampering visibility and movement. Moreover, cloth allegedly stored illegally in common passages caught fire, blocking access and making it extremely difficult for fire personnel to enter deeper sections of the market.
As a precaution, the electricity supply to the entire building was immediately disconnected to prevent any further fire spread or possible short-circuit.
A firefighter was injured during the intense operation and was shifted for medical treatment.
The blaze caused extensive damage to textile stocks stored in two godowns spread across an estimated 2,500 to 2,700 square feet. A large quantity of cloth was reduced to ashes, while additional stocks were damaged by smoke and soaked during the massive water-based firefighting operation.
The timing of the disaster has dealt a particularly severe blow to traders. With Diwali and the wedding season approaching, shopkeepers had accumulated large quantities of fresh textile stock after months of preparation.
Much of that inventory was either destroyed by fire or damaged by smoke and water, raising fears of major financial losses and disruption to the textile supply chain.
The cause of the fire remains unclear. Market sources said the main electricity connections of shops are routinely switched off at night, making the origin of the blaze inside the closed market a key focus of the investigation.
Surat Municipal Corporation Deputy Commissioner Dharmesh Mistry said the fire safety NOC of the building had been renewed and the fire system responded during the initial stage. However, he pointed to concerns over smoke ventilation and access routes.
“Around 150 fire personnel worked continuously with all available equipment and ultimately brought the fire under control. While the building has glass windows, proper openable ventilation and clear access through common passages are crucial for the safe disposal of smoke and effective firefighting,” Mistry said.
The deputy commissioner further announced that the entire building would remain closed until comprehensive safety checks are completed.
“The safety of citizens and traders is our top priority. A complete electrical audit and structural stability audit will now be conducted, and the fire safety system will be restored and made fully operational. The market will be permitted to reopen only after all required inspections, processes and safety assurances are completed,” he said.
SMC officials, local corporators and the Mayor also reached the spot as the firefighting operation continued.
Meanwhile, FOSTTA Chairman Kailash Hakim called for stronger technological solutions and greater responsibility from traders and market associations.
“The administration and the fire department have made every effort, but in this age of technology, modern firefighting solutions must also be explored beyond conventional methods. Traders and market associations cannot depend entirely on the administration and must become more safety-conscious. Strict compliance with fire-prevention rules is essential to prevent such disasters,” Hakim said.
With festive-season stocks reduced to ashes and the market facing a prolonged closure for safety audits, the massive blaze has left Surat’s textile traders staring at heavy losses, supply disruptions and deep uncertainty at one of the most crucial business periods of the year.
