The Bengal Story Bureau: A major fire that broke out at a scrap godown in the Karvad area of Gujarat’s Vapi on Friday morning spread to three adjoining warehouses before firefighters brought it under control after nearly four hours. No casualties or injuries were reported, though the blaze sent thick smoke over the area and triggered panic among residents.
The fire began in a scrap warehouse within the limits of the Vapi Municipal Corporation (VMC) and quickly engulfed nearby units, according to preliminary information.
How the fire spread
The blaze erupted in a single scrap godown and moved rapidly to three neighbouring warehouses, sending plumes of smoke into the sky. People in the surrounding areas raised the alarm as the fire intensified.
Firefighters from the VMC and the Notified Area fire brigade reached the spot and launched an extensive operation. The fire was finally brought under control after about four hours of effort.
Police on the spot
Police teams also reached the site to help manage the situation and maintain order while the firefighting operation was on. The cause of the fire was not immediately known, and an investigation is under way.
A recurring hazard
The incident has again turned attention to the rising number of fires at scrap godowns within the Vapi Municipal Corporation area. Residents have voiced concern over the risk such facilities pose to public safety and the environment.
The municipal body had earlier run a drive against illegal scrap godowns and removed several units, but the campaign was left incomplete. The latest fire has renewed calls for stricter action against unauthorised scrap storage operating in the area.