Heroic Rescue Amid Flames: Locals and Fire Brigade Save Lives in Khokhra Blaze
A massive fire broke out at the Parishkar-1 residential complex near Khokhra Circle, Ahmedabad, around 3:30 pm on Friday, triggering panic among residents. The blaze, which started in the electrical duct on the fifth floor of C Block, quickly spread upward, filling the building with thick smoke and causing a sense of urgency and fear. However, a combination of swift action by locals, a heroic electrician, and the fire brigade ensured that no lives were lost in the terrifying incident.
Residents Act Quickly
As the fire raged and smoke engulfed the building, the panic was palpable. A shocking video that quickly went viral showed a woman lowering a child from the lobby, with residents below waiting to catch them. The woman then jumped, landing in the arms of waiting locals, before being safely brought to the ground. This dramatic rescue was a heart-stopping moment, but it wasn’t the only act of bravery.
Before the fire brigade arrived, residents had already begun helping each other. Fire officials later confirmed that 11 people were rescued by the fire department, including 6 women and 5 men, while local residents managed to evacuate others from the building. Among them was Hitesh Pandya, an electrician working in A Block of the complex, who became a real-life hero.
The Role of Local Hero, Hitesh Pandya
Hitesh Pandya’s quick thinking was instrumental in saving lives. Upon hearing about the fire, he immediately turned off all MCB switchboards connected to the building’s gas lines to prevent a gas explosion. As smoke thickened, he rushed to the fourth floor, where he, along with other residents, managed to rescue three people—a mother and her two children. The mother, who was wearing red clothing, was seen in the video showing signs of injury, but thankfully, she was not seriously harmed. “She collapsed against the wall, but she’s safe now,” Hitesh said, recalling the harrowing rescue.
Fire Brigade’s Timely Arrival
The Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services responded quickly, dispatching personnel and vehicles from six fire stations, including Jamalpur, Maninagar, and Odhav. A total of seven fire engines and about 50 firefighters worked tirelessly to bring the blaze under control. They used water jets and smoke ventilation equipment to manage the fire and prevent it from spreading further.
The firefighters managed to control the situation within two hours, although the damage caused by the fire was significant. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, and the residents were evacuated safely.
Safety Concerns Raised
Despite the successful rescue operation, the incident raised serious concerns about the building’s safety measures. Harshad Patel, a local social worker who alerted emergency services, highlighted a major flaw in the building’s design: poor ventilation. “There was no proper smoke ventilation,” Patel explained. “When the duct caught fire, the smoke didn’t rise upwards as it should have. Instead, it flowed towards the staircase, causing severe suffocation for those inside.”
Additionally, fire officer Mataprasad Pandey pointed out that some fire extinguishers in the building were either non-functional or not used properly by the residents. “With basic training, residents could have controlled the fire earlier,” he said, emphasizing the need for improved safety measures and training for residents to handle fire emergencies.
A Wake-Up Call
The incident serves as a wake-up call for the need to enforce better fire safety standards and provide basic training to residents in high-rise buildings. As the community comes to terms with the events, the quick actions of both locals and emergency responders were crucial in averting a potential tragedy.
AM
