Surat, May 17 – Following a major fire outbreak at the Avadh Rituraj Textile Hub, located between Puna Patiya and Godadara’s Maharana Pratap Chowk, local authorities have stepped into action, initiating safety reviews and halting business operations at the site. The blaze, which broke out on the fifth floor of the building on Friday morning, destroyed ten shops and caused a section of the concrete slab to collapse, raising serious concerns about the structural stability of the complex.
The Limbayat Zone administration promptly issued a notice to the building's management, demanding an immediate structural stability report. Until this report is submitted and approved, the commercial use of the building will not be permitted. Due to the directive, the textile hub remained shut for a second consecutive day, causing significant financial losses for traders operating within the premises.
The fire originated in a shop that housed air conditioners, sarees, garments, and various electrical appliances, all of which were reduced to ashes. The intense heat also led to flaking and cracking of the slabs in adjoining units, further deepening concerns over the safety of the building’s structure.
Limbayat Zone officials, including Executive Engineer Vipul Ganeshwala, conducted an on-site inspection and confirmed that the falling debris and damage to the concrete slabs have rendered the building’s integrity questionable. Ganeshwala further revealed that the textile market comprises three buildings, and an unauthorized structure has been erected on the seventh floor of the central building. A separate notice has been issued to the management for the removal of this illegal construction. If not dismantled by the management, the municipal corporation will take action to demolish it.
Officials have made it clear that no commercial activity will be allowed in the premises until a detailed structural report is submitted and verified. Additionally, the fire and emergency services department has emphasized the need for secure and upgraded electrical installations across the market. Market authorities have been instructed to furnish a comprehensive report detailing the electrical layout and structural safety of the entire premises.
In the aftermath of the incident, many traders have initiated immediate electrical inspections of their shops. The fire has not only caused substantial material damage but also left shopkeepers shaken, resulting in widespread concern among business owners. Both traders and local authorities have agreed that safety must remain the highest priority and all necessary precautions will be enforced to prevent such disasters in the future.
