Rajkot: A tragic fire broke out late last night on the fifth floor of Shri Hari Complex in Soni Bazar, claiming the life of a Bengali artisan and injuring another. The blaze, which reportedly started in a shop storing gas cylinders, escalated rapidly. Five fire brigade units rushed to the scene and, after more than four hours of effort, managed to bring the fire under control.

At the time of the incident, around 10 artisans were engaged in buffing and polishing gold and silver jewelry in the shop. The rapid spread of the fire, fueled by the presence of gas cylinders inside, made rescue operations extremely difficult, resulting in one death and one injury. One LPG cylinder exploded during the blaze, completely destroying the terrace dome. The identities of the deceased and injured are being verified, and police are taking further action. Preliminary reports suggest a short circuit may have triggered the fire, but assistance from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) will be sought to determine the exact cause.

ACP B.J. Chaudhary stated that a shed had been constructed above the shop on the complex terrace. Authorities are investigating whether the structure was legally permitted. Depending on the findings, strict legal action will be taken against those responsible. The incident underscores the severe risks posed by unauthorized construction in the event of fire emergencies. DeshGujarat