Massive Fire Engulfs Firecracker Shops in Ahmedabad, Several Residents Moved to Safety

A massive fire broke out at fireworks stores located in an industrial area in Ahmedabad, Gujarat on Wednesday, prompting officials to evacuate several people from nearby residential areas as a precaution.

Officials said two firefighting officials were slightly injured by exploding firecrackers.

Officials said thick smoke engulfed the Vikas Estate in Babunagar district, where the damaged shops are located. Panic prevailed in the neighboring residential areas due to the intermittent explosion of fireworks.

They said more than a dozen fire tenders have been sent to the site.

“The fire broke out in a fireworks store before spreading to nearby stadiums. Our priority is to prevent the fire from spreading to the residential areas around the Vikas property,” a fire brigade official said.

He said many people were evacuated from their homes as a precaution even as thick smoke engulfed Babunagar.

The exact number of evacuees could not be known immediately.

“All fire tenders are on site. Police have evacuated residents in surrounding areas and we are working to ensure that people do not come close to the affected area. The cause of the fire is not yet determined. Police will take action,” DCP (District 3) Sushil Agrawal said.

At first glance, firecrackers were stocked in the shops of the industrial area.

“We are not yet sure if they have the appropriate license to store explosives. We will investigate,” he said.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is republished from a syndicated news agency feed.)