2 killed, 9 injured in fire, cylinder blasts at Surat building

At least two people lost their lives and nine others sustained burn injuries after a fire broke out in a building housing an embroidery unit in Surat on Thursday morning, triggering multiple gas cylinder explosions, officials said.According to information,the incident occurred around 5:30 am on the third floor of a building near Rachna Circle in the Kapodra locality. According to fire department officials, the blaze led to the explosion of LPG cylinders, intensifying the fire and causing casualties.
A total of eight gas cylinders were reportedly stored inside the premises, of which two exploded during the incident. “By the time fire tenders reached the spot, one cylinder had already exploded, causing the blaze to spread rapidly,” a fire official said.Fire tenders from four fire stations were rushed to the site after the incident was reported. Upon arrival, firefighters found the fire raging on the upper floor and immediately launched rescue operations.Rescue teams broke through a sheet covering the third floor to access the trapped occupants. A total of 11 people were pulled out from the building and rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.
“Out of the 11 persons rescued, nine suffered minor to moderate burn injuries, while two succumbed to their injuries,” the official confirmed.The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, and further investigation is underway. Authorities are also examining safety compliance at the unit, particularly regarding the storage of multiple gas cylinders inside the building.

(State Correspondent)