Blazing Inferno at Ahmedabad’s Urban Chowk Triggers Panic as Flames Gut Three Food Stalls

AHMEDABAD — A major fire broke out at the popular Urban Chowk food market on Rajpath Rangoli Club Road in Ahmedabad on Thursday evening, gutting three food stalls and causing widespread panic among evening visitors. Emergency responders managed to evacuate the crowded premises swiftly, and no casualties have been reported so far.

Blaze Begins at Chaat Stall Before Gutting Adjacent Outlets

According to sources within the Ahmedabad fire brigade, the fire erupted at a chaat stall around 8:17 pm and quickly engulfed the entire setup. Before staff or patrons could intervene, the flames rapidly spread to an adjacent momo outlet, intensifying within minutes and threatening surrounding structures. Recognizing the severity of the blaze, market authorities immediately raised the alarm with the fire department.

Four fire tenders—including three engines dispatched from the Bopal fire station—rushed to the scene to battle the inferno. Divisional Fire Officer Swastik Jadeja also arrived at the site to personally direct and supervise the firefighting operation. Emergency crews deployed high-pressure water jets to contain the blaze and prevent it from reaching nearby stalls. Initial assessments confirm that three food outlets, including the initial chaat and momo setups, sustained significant damage.

Festive Karwa Chauth Crowds Evacuated Amid Searing Heat and Panic

The sudden outbreak created an atmosphere of chaos, with visitors scrambling for the exits as thick smoke and flames billowed through the market complex. The open-air food hub, which houses more than 50 individual food stalls, typically draws heavy footfall during evening hours. However, visitor numbers on Thursday were exceptionally higher than usual due to families and couples celebrating Karwa Chauth.

Fire personnel prioritized safety, guiding frantic crowds toward designated exit points and clearing the immediate hazard zone to ensure all patrons reached safety unharmed.

Investigation Underway as Firefighters Secure the Site

While emergency crews worked to extinguish remaining hotspots and secure the perimeter, official inquiries into the cause of the fire were launched. Authorities are yet to determine whether the fire was sparked by an electrical short circuit, faulty commercial cooking equipment, or another operational hazard. A full assessment regarding the financial extent of the structural and inventory loss suffered by the affected stall owners remains pending.

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