Surat: A major fire broke out early Friday morning at Happy Excellencia, a high-end residential tower in the city’s posh Vesu locality. The blaze reportedly began around 8 a.m. on the building’s eighth floor and quickly spread to at least three upper levels.

Major fire breaks out at high-rise apartment in Surat’s Vesu area; 50 rescuedhttps://t.co/WCJdaXYCsr pic.twitter.com/qiElHDTtx5

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Visuals from the scene showed thick smoke rising from the top floors as Surat Fire and Emergency Services teams rushed to the spot with multiple fire engines. They used ladders and hydraulic platforms to rescue residents, some of whom had taken refuge on the terrace.

Officials confirmed that over 50 people were safely evacuated, including 18 individuals trapped in a flat adjacent to the origin of the fire.

Gujarat Minister of State for Home, Harsh Sanghavi, who lives nearby, arrived at the scene to oversee rescue operations. He commended the fire brigade’s efforts, likening their bravery to that of “Hanuman in battle,” and confirmed that no casualties were reported.

“The fire brigade team has done a great job and rescued many people. Around 150 fire brigade personnel are engaged in controlling the fire here,” Sanghavi told the media.

Surat Mayor Daxesh Mavani stated that the fire affected the top three floors but was brought under control swiftly. Cooling operations are underway, and an investigation has been launched to identify the cause of the fire. DeshGujarat