Five members of a family, including four women and a four-year-old child, tragically lost their lives in a fire that erupted in a residential building in Surat’s Limbayat area. The incident occurred on Tuesday morning in the Mithi Khadi locality, where a ground-plus-two-storey house was engulfed by flames. Initial reports suggest that the fire likely started on the ground floor during cooking, possibly due to a gas leak, and swiftly spread throughout the premises.
Firefighters promptly responded to the scene after receiving the alert and conducted rescue operations. Unfortunately, all five occupants were discovered unconscious inside the house and were pronounced dead upon arrival at a government hospital in Surat. The victims have been identified as Shehnaz Begum Ansari (65), Husa Begum Ansari (18), Shabina Ramzan Ansari (28), Parveen Abdul Kalam Ansari (19), and Subhan Ramzan Ansari (4).
Authorities revealed that the family was engaged in saree-related work from home, with a significant amount of sarees, foam sheets, and other materials stored in the house. These items, along with chemicals and oils associated with their trade, likely contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. The intense smoke quickly filled the structure, leaving the occupants with limited means of escape.
Inspector Chirag Dhokadiya stated that the fire broke out around 11 a.m., resulting in the tragic loss of four women and a child. The family’s involvement in freelance saree work and the presence of a large quantity of sarees at the scene have been highlighted. A forensic science laboratory team has been summoned to investigate the site, as the exact cause of the fire remains undetermined. Postmortem examinations have been scheduled, and authorities are awaiting medical reports to shed further light on the incident.
Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control after strenuous efforts, with assistance from neighboring fire stations. A comprehensive inquiry has been launched to determine the precise circumstances leading to the devastating fire.
