Seven-hour-long fire burns down Jamnagar mall to shreds

Updated: Feb 9th, 2024

Jamnagar Mall Fire (img: File)

A massive fire broke out in Jamnagar’s Reliance Mega Mall, regarded as Saurashtra’s biggest mall, late at night on Feb 8 at 9.50 p.m.

15 Reliance firefighters initially showed up at the scene, with later arriving parties of firefighters from other private companies nearby.

Jamnagar collector Bhavin Pandya deployed local firefighter teams from Sikka thermal power station (TPS) colony, GSFC, Nyara, Jamnagar, alongside outstation teams from Rajkot, Kalavad, Dhrol, Gondal, Devbhoomi Dwarka’s Khambhaliya, Dwarka, and Okha.

Although there was no harm reported to human life in this incident, the mall has been completely scorched up.

A preliminary investigation has revealed that the fire was caused by a short circuit, which turned into a raging blaze in a span of a few minutes.

As the mall’s dome went up in flames and the fire reached the roof shed, which fell on the abundant stock of groceries, clothes, and other shopping items, the fire spread dramatically.

The mall was cordoned off from all sides during the operation, and it took 50 firefighters with 200 water tankers around seven hours to extinguish the fire.

Because of the strenuous task of extinguishing the fire under the roof shed, water had to be sprayed in enormous amounts, and the operation was stretched for a longer duration.

The fire was extinguished, and the operation was concluded at 5.10 a.m. today.

Several details of the massive fire

Traffic barricades were set up on the Jamnagar-Khavdi road after this fire, and because of its intensity, parked vehicles in the vicinity were also shifted to a safer location.

Although there was reportedly no harm caused to any human life, ambulances were stationed and hospitals were alerted to be on standby after the fire.

A few firefighters reportedly suffered burns during the operation and were treated immediately.

A showroom of Reliance Jewels in the complex is reckoned to have suffered heavy losses in this fire as it housed several expensive ornaments.

Respective teams have initiated their operations to probe the cause of the fire.

Insurance companies have also initiated their investigations into this regard to determine the magnitude of the losses suffered.

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Gujarat