Ahmedabad: Around 50 people trapped inside a commercial complex in Ahmedabad were rescued in a coordinated emergency operation on Monday after a fire broke out at Shangrila Arcade near Shyamal Crossroads, with officials crediting the swift response for preventing casualties.
The incident was reported at around 10.15 a.m., prompting multiple teams from the Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services to rush to the site.
Thick smoke quickly spread through the building as flames rose from the ground floor to the upper levels, leaving several occupants stranded inside.
Fire officials said nearly 50 people were evacuated from different floors, including those trapped in upper sections where smoke had filled corridors and stairwells.
Rescue teams used ladders and hydraulic platforms to carry out the evacuation. Four women were found unconscious due to smoke inhalation and were taken to hospital by emergency ambulance services. No casualties were reported.
“To control the fire, a total of 38 vehicles and around 138 personnel were deployed by the fire department. These included eight water bowsers of 20 KL capacity, one mini fighter, 15 Bolero and three Scorpio first responders, three Yoddha first responders, two ambulances, one water tanker (10 KL), one fire tender, one emergency tender, two hydraulic platform (HPL) units and one turntable ladder (TTL),” officials said.
The personnel included 68 firemen, eight jamadars, 39 drivers, three sub-officers, nine station officers, five divisional officers, three Deputy Chief Fire Officers (CFOs), two Additional Chief Fire Officers and one Chief Fire Officer.
Firefighters worked floor by floor to clear the building while simultaneously containing the flames.
Preliminary findings indicate that the fire began near an ATM and an external electric board outside a branch of Kotak Mahindra Bank on the ground floor.
The flames spread rapidly through the parking area and into the upper floors, intensified by combustible materials and vehicles parked near the entrance.
Two two-wheelers parked on the premises were damaged, and an ATM unit was also destroyed in the fire.
Eyewitnesses said the blaze intensified within minutes, filling the building with dense smoke and prompting a hurried evacuation.
One person working in the building said the fire spread “within minutes” after first being noticed near the entrance.
Authorities temporarily closed the road connecting Shyamal Crossroads to Prahladnagar to facilitate emergency operations and ensure public safety.
Firefighters continued cooling operations after bringing the blaze under control to prevent any re-ignition.
A fire officer said the priority was evacuation. “Our first objective was to rescue those trapped. Teams moved quickly despite heavy smoke and ensured everyone was brought out safely,” the officer said.
Police and fire officials have launched an investigation into the exact cause of the incident and are expected to review safety compliance at the commercial complex.
(IANS)
