Bilimora plastic shop fire: Goods worth ₹8–10 lakh destroyed in Gujarat blaze
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
A massive fire broke out at a plastic wholesale shop in Bilimora town of Gujarat's Navsari district late Friday night, 7 November, destroying merchandise estimated at ₹8 lakh to ₹10 lakh and triggering panic among local residents. No casualties or injuries were reported in the incident.
How the Fire Started
The blaze erupted suddenly at a plastic wholesale shop situated opposite the Bilimora ITI. Preliminary reports suggest that firecrackers may have ignited the fire, though authorities have cautioned that the exact cause will be confirmed only after an official investigation. The flames reportedly originated in materials stored at the rear of the shop before rapidly spreading inward, engulfing large quantities of plastic goods stacked inside.
Firefighting Operation
As thick smoke and flames rose from the premises, local residents and neighbouring shopkeepers rushed to the scene and made initial attempts to douse the fire using extinguishers and water. The high density of flammable plastic stock, however, made early containment difficult. The Bilimora Municipality Fire Brigade arrived with firefighting vehicles shortly after being alerted and launched a full-scale operation. Given the intensity of the blaze, additional support was sought from the Gandevi Municipality Fire Department. Teams from both departments worked in tandem for nearly an hour before bringing the fire under control and preventing it from spreading to adjacent properties.
Extent of Damage and Investigation
The shop owner stated that goods worth approximately ₹8 lakh to ₹10 lakh were destroyed, though a detailed loss assessment is yet to be conducted. Authorities confirmed that an inquiry is underway to determine the precise cause of the fire. Officials noted that the fire brigade responded promptly upon receiving information about the incident.
Earlier Fire in Delhi's Gaffar Market
Notably, earlier on Friday, a separate fire broke out at a mobile accessories shop in Delhi's Gaffar Market, spreading across all four floors of a commercial building in Chain Wali Gali, Puri Plaza. Around 20–25 fire tenders were deployed to bring that blaze under control. According to Delhi Police, a PCR call was received at 1.28 am at the Karol Bagh Police Station, following which the night staff and the Station House Officer (SHO) rushed to the spot. No casualties or injuries were reported in the Delhi incident either, though property damage occurred. Both fires on the same night raise broader questions about fire safety in densely stocked commercial establishments.