The Surat Textile Market Fire at Shyam Sangini Textile Market in Saroli has been linked by police to alleged arson by a former accountant. The fire broke out around midnight on September 8–9, 2026, and destroyed textile goods worth an estimated ₹24 crore. Police later arrested 33-year-old Vinod Pandit Savale, a native of Dhule, Maharashtra, in connection with the case.Key HighlightsThe fire broke out on the sixth floor of Shyam Sangini Textile Market.Textile goods worth around ₹24 crore were destroyed.Police allege that former accountant Vinod Savale started the fire deliberately.Police say the alleged dispute involved ₹10,000 in unpaid salary.CCTV footage helped investigators identify the accused.How Did the Surat Textile Market Fire Start?The fire was reported at around 12:50 am on September 9. Initially, the cause was not clear. However, CCTV footage later became an important part of the investigation.According to police, the footage showed a man entering the sixth floor of the market with his face covered and a bag on his shoulder. He allegedly sprinkled a flammable liquid on textile parcels kept outside shops and then set them on fire before leaving the building.The fire quickly spread through the textile goods stored on the floor. Several shops were affected, with reports putting the number of damaged shops at around 14 to 17. The goods included saris and dress materials that had been prepared for delivery during the festive season.Firefighters worked for many hours to control the blaze. Reports said it took around 14 hours to bring the fire under control. No deaths were reported, but the financial damage was significant.Related Instagram Video :Surat Textile Market Fire Causes ₹24 Crore LossWho Is Vinod Savale?Vinod Pandit Savale, 33, is a former accountant who worked at a textile business in the Shyam Sangini Textile Market. He is from Dhule district in Maharashtra."According to police, Savale started working as an accountant in April 2026 and was paid around ₹30,000 per month. He later left the job. Police said he claimed that ₹10,000 of his salary remained unpaid after he left. He also allegedly told investigators that he felt repeatedly humiliated and questioned about his work by his former employers."Police allege that the salary dispute became the reason for the planned act of arson. The allegations are part of the ongoing investigation.How Was the Former Accountant Arrested?The Surat fire investigation relied heavily on CCTV footage and information gathered by investigators. Police identified Savale as the man seen in the footage.After the fire, police said Savale switched off his mobile phone and left Surat. Investigators said he travelled to Rajasthan, including Khatu Shyam, and later went to Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh. He eventually returned to Surat.The Surat Crime Branch arrested him in the Dindoli area of Surat on September 21, after receiving information about his whereabouts. He was subsequently handed over to Saroli police for further investigation.How Much Damage Did the Fire Cause?The Shyam Sangini Textile Market fire caused an estimated loss of around ₹24 crore in textile goods, according to the police investigation and multiple reports.The fire affected shops on the sixth floor and also damaged areas on the fifth floor. Much of the destroyed material consisted of wholesale textile products stored for upcoming festive-season deliveries.Police are continuing to investigate how the fire was planned, how the fuel was obtained and whether anyone else was involved. The Surat textile market fire case remains under investigation, and allegations against the arrested man will be subject to the legal process.Also Read : Surat Textile Hub Fire Destroys Cargo Meant for Diwali Delivery
