Surat: A tragic fire in a three-story residence in the Mithi Khadi locality of Gujarat's Surat claimed the lives of four women and a 4-year-old child on Tuesday morning, according to local police.

The blaze erupted around 10 a.m. within the jurisdiction of the Limbayat police station while the family was engaged in packing sarees. Authorities reported that the victims, who had migrated to the textile hub from Uttar Pradesh, were overwhelmed by dense, chemical-laden smoke generated by flammable packing materials.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Kanan Desai confirmed that fire brigade units and emergency medical teams were dispatched immediately to the scene. "Since today is a holiday, they had brought a large amount of material for packing," Desai said, noting that the surplus of foam sheets contributed to the severity of the incident.

Fatal Suffocation

First responders encountered a building choked with thick, black smoke, which initially hampered rescue efforts. Upon gaining entry, officials found the front rooms heavily stocked with foam sheets used for saree padding.

"After the smoke was brought slightly under control, it was seen that the front room and the surrounding area were packed with foam sheets used for saree packing. Foam was also kept near the switchboard," Desai stated.

Preliminary findings suggest an electrical malfunction may have ignited the materials. "Based on our primary discussion with the fire brigade, we suspect that there might have been an electrical spark and resultant fire in the foam placed in front of the switchboard. Since this foam contains chemicals, it generated heavy smoke," the DCP added.

The victims—identified as Shehnaz Begum Ansari, 65; Shabina Ansari, 28; Parvin Abdul Ansari, 19; Husa Begam Ansari, 18; and Subhan Ali Ansari, 4—succumbed to suffocation. "Due to the smoke and resulting suffocation, four women and a child were severely affected. They were shifted to Civil Hospital in serious condition and later died during treatment," Desai said.

Eyewitness Accounts

Witnesses described a scene of rapid escalation and panic. Yunus Khan, an acquaintance of the family, noted that the male members of the household were away at work when the fire started.

"There were sacks of foam and sarees lying inside. When they caught fire, the family members panicked and moved to a back room, thinking they would be safe," Khan told reporters. "But the foam contained chemicals and produced toxic gas, which caused their death."

Forensic experts and fire safety officials are continuing their investigation into the building's compliance with safety regulations, as the residence was being utilised for industrial packing activities.

With inputs from PTI