Residents leap from 4th floor as fire engulfs Aatrey Orchid flats in Ahmedabad; 4 injured, 27 rescued

Panic and chaos unfolded at Aatrey Orchid apartments near Indira Bridge in the Hansol area of Ahmedabad on Tuesday afternoon after a massive fire broke out, forcing several residents to jump from the fourth floors to escape the blaze. At least four people sustained injuries and 27 others were rescued in a dramatic firefighting and evacuation operation.

The fire reportedly originated in the outdoor unit of an air-conditioner in flat number 404 on the fourth floor and rapidly spread to the fifth and sixth floors. The flat was fully furnished, so it is suspected that flammable interiors might have accelerated the spread of the fire. Thick smoke could be seen from a distance, drawing large crowds to the scene.

As flames engulfed the upper floors, at least four residents leapt from the fouth floor in a desperate attempt to save themselves. Local residents gathered in the building’s compound, using mattresses, bedsheets and cushions to break the fall of those jumping, preventing further injuries or fatalities.

Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services personnel, including a division fire officer, arrived at the site but faced criticism from residents for arriving without sufficient high-rise rescue equipment. Eleven firefighters sustained minor burn injuries during the rescue operation due to the intense heat and fire flashes but continued their efforts to bring the situation under control.

The four individuals injured in the incident were rushed to Apollo Hospital and Asarwa Civil Hospital for treatment. Fortunately, no fatalities have been reported so far.

Fire officials confirmed that 27 people were safely rescued from the building. The rising temperature within the premises further complicated the operation, as the blaze intensified and made access to upper floors difficult.

An investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the fire and assess whether there were any safety violations in the building’s construction or emergency systems.