Surat: A major fire broke out this morning at Millennium Market-1 near Kamela Darwaja in the Ring Road area of Surat, triggering panic among traders and shoppers.

The blaze was reported around 10:30 am, when two to three shops on the top floor were engulfed in flames. Thick plumes of smoke were seen rising from the building, visible from a considerable distance. Owing to the large stock of garments stored in the shops, the fire spread rapidly to adjoining units.

Upon receiving information, the Surat Fire Department rushed to the spot. Nine fire tenders from multiple fire stations were deployed to control the blaze. Firefighters launched an intensive operation using hydraulic platforms and water cannons to douse the flames. As the fire spread rapidly, authorities declared a “major call.” All shops inside the market were immediately ordered to be vacated as a precautionary measure.

Fire Officer Prakash Kanade said that initially, vehicles from three fire stations were dispatched, but after assessing the intensity of the blaze, additional units were called in. Nearly 10 fire tenders were pressed into service. He noted that heavy smoke hampered ventilation and made firefighting operations challenging. Due to the dense smoke, visibility inside the building was extremely poor, complicating efforts to fully assess the situation.

Police cleared traffic on Ring Road to facilitate the movement of emergency vehicles, as congestion built up following the incident. People present inside the market were evacuated promptly.

No casualties have been reported so far. However, with a substantial quantity of cloth material stored in the affected shops, losses worth several lakhs of rupees are feared. The exact cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, though a short circuit is suspected as the preliminary cause. DeshGujarat