A massive Surat Textile Hub Fire broke out at the multi-storey Shyam Sangini textile market around midnight on Tuesday and continued until Wednesday afternoon. The fire destroyed large quantities of finished textile goods that were packed and ready for delivery to different states ahead of the Dussehra and Diwali festivals.Key HighlightsThe fire started around midnight on the sixth floor of Shyam Sangini market.Flames spread through textile parcels, shops, furniture and packaging materials.More than 150 firefighters took part in the operation.No deaths were reported, while one firefighter was injured and hospitalised.Large quantities of Diwali-bound textile cargo were destroyed.Fire Breaks Out at Shyam Sangini MarketThe Surat textile market fire started in a passage on the sixth floor of Shyam Sangini market, located on the eastern side of Surat.“According to fire officials, the flames spread in both directions through parcels of fabric kept in the passages. These textile packages were reportedly ready to be loaded onto trucks for delivery.”The presence of large amounts of synthetic fabrics, plastic packing bags and cardboard boxes helped the fire spread quickly.The flames also entered shops on the fifth and sixth floors. Textile stocks, furniture and other materials inside several shops were damaged or destroyed.Firefighting Operation Continued for HoursThe massive fire in Surat continued for around 12 hours before firefighters brought it under control on Wednesday afternoon.More than 150 firemen from different Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) zones were involved in the operation.Firefighters worked through the night to control the flames and thick smoke. They also broke exterior window glass to improve ventilation and used firefighting equipment to reach affected areas.One firefighter was injured during the operation and was taken to hospital. No human deaths were reported in the incident.“The fire began in a passage on the sixth floor of the market and spread in both directions, burning through parcels of fabrics that were packed and kept ready to be shipped.”— Basant Pareekh, Chief Fire Officer, Surat Municipal CorporationDiwali Cargo DestroyedThe Diwali cargo destroyed in the fire included finished fabrics and textile parcels prepared for shipment to other parts of India.Surat is one of India's biggest textile trading centres and is especially known for synthetic sarees and dress materials.Thousands of textile businesses depend on the city's markets to supply seasonal products to states including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Delhi, Maharashtra and southern states.The timing of the Surat textile fire accident is significant because traders were preparing large stocks for the upcoming festive season.Damage Assessment UnderwayThe exact financial loss from the Surat textile market blaze is not yet clear. Officials and textile trade representatives visited the affected market to assess the damage.A detailed assessment will be possible after the building is completely cooled and authorities can safely inspect the affected floors.The cause of the fire is also being examined by the authorities. Officials have so far described where the fire started and how it spread, but a final cause has not been established.The incident has caused major concern among traders because of the large amount of textile cargo loss in Surat just before the busy Dussehra and Diwali delivery period.Also Read : Fire Breaks Out at Delhi's School of Planning and Architecture; No Injuries Reported
