Ahmedabad news A major fire incident shook the Naroda Road area of Ahmedabad on Saturday after a massive blaze erupted at a wooden warehouse located inside Ambika Estate, situated beneath the Memco Bridge. The incident triggered panic in the surrounding industrial zone as thick plumes of smoke engulfed the area. At least ten fire brigade vehicles were rushed to the spot to control the flames, while several people trapped inside the building were rescued and shifted to hospital with severe burn injuries.
According to initial reports, the fire broke out in a three-storey structure that is believed to be nearly 35 to 40 years old. The building housed multiple warehouse units, including a large godown used for storing wood and related materials. At the time of the incident, several individuals were reportedly present inside the premises, some of whom were resting inside the warehouse when the fire started.
Fire Brigade Launches Large-Scale Rescue Operation–Ahmedabad news
As soon as information about the fire reached the Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services, teams were immediately dispatched to the location. Fire officials confirmed that at least ten fire tenders were deployed due to the intensity of the blaze and the nature of combustible material stored inside the godown.
Preliminary information suggested that around five people were trapped inside the building when the fire broke out. Firefighters worked under extremely challenging conditions, battling heavy smoke, high temperatures, and the risk of structural collapse. Three individuals were successfully rescued in a severely burnt condition and were rushed to the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad for emergency treatment. Their condition is reported to be serious.
Fire officers at the site said that the rescue of all trapped individuals has now been completed, and the situation has been brought largely under control. Cooling operations continued for several hours to prevent the fire from reigniting.
Two Workers Severely Injured While Resting Inside Warehouse
Speaking to the media, warehouse owner Brijesh Mehta shared details about the incident and the people injured. He said he has been operating the unit on a rental basis for the last five years. Mehta explained that he had travelled to Saharanpur in Delhi two days earlier in connection with work related to the estate.
“Two people had come to Ahmedabad on Saturday in connection with the warehouse work. During the afternoon, they were resting inside the estate when the fire suddenly broke out. I received a phone call informing me about the fire,” Mehta said.
He added that the two individuals who were sleeping inside the godown at the time of the incident sustained severe burn injuries and were immediately shifted to hospital. Their treatment is currently underway.
Old Structure and Flammable Materials Suspected Behind Rapid Spread
While the exact cause of the fire is yet to be officially confirmed, preliminary investigations suggest that the blaze spread rapidly due to the presence of highly flammable materials inside the warehouse. Sources indicated that large quantities of dry wood, along with certain chemical substances, were stored inside the godown, which may have contributed to the intensity of the fire.
Fire department officials said that wooden warehouses pose a significant fire risk, especially when proper safety measures are not strictly followed. “Dry timber and chemicals can act as accelerants, causing fire to spread within minutes,” a senior fire officer said at the site.
The age of the building is also being considered a critical factor. The structure, estimated to be several decades old, may not have been designed to meet modern fire safety standards, increasing the risk during such emergencies.
Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation Orders Sealing of Units
Following the incident, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) took swift action and announced that certain units within Ambika Estate would be sealed. Civic authorities have initiated a detailed inspection of the estate’s documentation, building permissions, and compliance with fire safety norms.
AMC officials stated that a comprehensive safety audit will be conducted to determine whether the warehouses were operating with valid licenses and whether mandatory fire prevention measures were in place. “If any violations are found, strict action will be taken against the concerned parties,” an AMC official said.
The civic body has also directed estate owners and occupants to cooperate fully with the investigation and submit all relevant documents related to the operation of the units.
Police and Fire Department Begin Joint Investigation
A joint investigation by the police and the fire department is currently underway to determine the exact cause of the fire. Officials are examining whether the blaze was triggered by an electrical short circuit, chemical reaction, negligence, or any other factor.
Police sources said statements will be recorded from the injured individuals once their condition stabilises, as well as from warehouse staff, estate management, and nearby unit owners. CCTV footage from surrounding areas is also being reviewed to reconstruct the sequence of events.
Experts from the fire department are expected to submit a detailed technical report once the investigation is complete. This report will play a key role in determining liability and future action.
Industrial Safety Under Scrutiny Once Again
The incident has once again raised serious questions about industrial safety standards in Ahmedabad’s older estates. Many such estates were developed decades ago and continue to operate without adequate upgrades to meet current safety requirements.
Local residents and business owners in the Naroda area expressed concern over the lack of strict enforcement of safety norms. “There are many old godowns in this area storing flammable materials. Incidents like this could have far worse consequences if not addressed properly,” said a nearby shopkeeper.
Safety experts have repeatedly warned that overcrowded industrial zones with ageing infrastructure pose a major risk, especially when warehouses store combustible materials without proper fire detection and suppression systems.
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Situation Under Control, But Vigilance Continues
Fire officials confirmed that the fire has now been fully brought under control, though monitoring and cooling operations continued well into the evening. No further casualties have been reported so far.
Authorities have cordoned off the affected area to ensure public safety and to facilitate investigation work. Traffic movement under the Memco Bridge was temporarily disrupted during firefighting operations but has since been gradually restored.
As investigations continue, officials have assured that more details will be shared once the cause of the fire is conclusively established.
This incident has become a major point of discussion in Ahmedabad news, highlighting the urgent need for stricter monitoring of industrial safety standards, especially in old commercial and warehouse zones. The coming days are expected to see intensified inspections across similar estates in the city to prevent such potentially deadly incidents in the future.
