Ahmedabad: A major fire broke out late Friday night, May 3, at a bio coal raw material unit in Dhandhuka GIDC (Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation), engulfing around 1,500 tons of raw material. Fortunately, no injuries or casualties were reported. However, the fire caused extensive material loss and panic in the surrounding industrial area.
The blaze, which reportedly started in the raw stockpile of bio coal, quickly intensified due to the flammable nature of the material. As the flames escalated, fire services from Dhandhuka, Barwala, Botad, and Dholka were rushed to the scene. Eight firefighter teams worked non-stop through the night, finally managing to extinguish it after an intense 20-hour operation.
Due to the fire’s magnitude, local authorities reached the site to oversee the emergency response. The flames even spread to nearby Yash Industries, a cotton ginning unit, where cotton bales were stored. Firefighters worked tirelessly to prevent further escalation and protect adjacent industrial units.
According to Ajitbhai Dalwadi, Secretary of the Cotton Association, the fire destroyed over 1,500 tons of bio coal raw material. Preliminary estimates suggest losses amounting to several lakhs in the bio coal unit alone, while the cotton ginning unit may have suffered damages exceeding Rs. 50 lakh.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire. Initial reports suggest the high combustibility of the raw material contributed to the rapid spread of flames. While no human harm occurred, the incident highlights the need for enhanced fire safety protocols in industrial zones handling flammable goods.