Blaze erupted at the Takshila CHS at Nathani Road in Vidyavihar West | FPJ/ Vijay Gohil
A level 2 (major) fire broke out in a 13-storey building in Vidyavihar in the early hours of Monday, claiming the life of a security guard and leaving three others, including another guard, injured. The deceased, Uday Gangan, 43, had attempted to extinguish the fire on the second floor, however, he got trapped due to intense flames and smoke. He succumbed to burns covering his entire body.
The blaze erupted at 4.35am at the Takshila co-operative housing society at Nathani Road in Vidyavihar West on Monday. As per sources, the fire started on the second floor, with the officials stating that it remained confined to five flats and the lobby between the first and second floors. The fire brigade along with local residents rescued around 20 residents. Whereas, those living on the upper floors took shelter in the refuge area and on the terrace until the flames were brought under control.
By the time, the residents noticed the flames, the blaze had already covered a wider area. “Around 20 people stranded in the refuge area on the upper floors were rescued by the fire brigade through ladders,” recounted a local. Security guard Gangan and supervisor Sabajit Yadav, 52, had rushed to the second floor to rescue residents. However, the former lost consciousness due to dense smoke, while the latter suffered burns affecting 25-30% of his body.
The duo was taken to the civic-run Rajawadi Hospital where Gangan was declared dead on arrival, while Yadav was admitted to the trauma ward. His condition is now stable, confirmed the civic officials. Kamala Jain, 73, living on the second floor, suffered an injury to her right hand and another resident Jitendra Jain suffered minor burns. He was given first aid by a doctor living in the building.
Paresh Dave, a resident of the fourth floor, said that the incident occurred early in the morning, and the fire quickly spread from the second to the upper floors. “Unable to find our way due to the dense smoke, we took shelter in flat 404 where we wrapped wet clothes around our noses to prevent inhaling smoke,” said Dave. He added that his family has moved to a relative’s place as the power and water supply have been disconnected.
A fire official said, “The blaze caused extensive damage, impacting electrical wiring, household items, wooden furniture and an air conditioning unit.” Additionally, wall fittings, shoe racks and furniture were affected in the lobby area between the first and second floors, he added.
The blaze was finally brought under control by 8.44am. The investigation will determine the exact cause of the fire.
