Fire at Shyam Sangini Market in Surat: CCTV points to suspected arson, FIR filed

Surat: The fire that engulfed over 15 shops at the Shyam Sangini textile market in Saroli was allegedly deliberately set, with CCTV footage showing an unidentified man entering the building with what appeared to be a flammable liquid shortly before the blaze broke out.

Saroli police have registered an FIR against an unidentified person and launched an investigation to identify the suspect and determine the motive. Police said the possibility of foul play was strengthened after speaking to traders.

“We are investigating the motive behind setting the blaze. It could be due to internal rivalry between traders or the handiwork of a disgruntled employee,” a senior police officer said.

Police have invoked Section 326(g) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), relating to mischief by fire or explosive substance with the intent to destroy a building.

Meanwhile, the Surat Fire and Emergency Services (SFES) found several factors that contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. Large quantities of textiles and garments had been stored in common passages across multiple floors, providing combustible material while also obstructing firefighters.

The building’s firefighting system also failed soon after the blaze began. The diesel pump stopped working and the battery was discharged, leaving the system operational for only around 30 minutes. Firefighters subsequently depended on water supplied by fire tenders throughout the operation.

Fire officials said high temperatures persisted even after the flames were brought under control, requiring continuous water spraying to prevent the material from reigniting.

The suspected arson, combustible material stored in common areas, and failure of the firefighting system have raised concerns over fire-safety compliance at the market. DeshGujarat