Illegal terrace storage of cloth showroom gutted

Time of India

06-05-2025

Nagpur: A massive fire broke out on Tuesday morning at
Rochaldas showroom
in Gandhibagh, gutting a large portion of the building's illegally constructed terrace storage area and causing an estimated loss of Rs2.5 crore.
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The fire, started in the godown atop the ground-plus-four-storey commercial complex around 10.52am, was brought under control after a four-hour operation at 2.30pm.
The showroom, run by Chirag Suraj Kewalramani, is known for its high-end ethnic wear. According to chief fire officer BP Chandankhede, the blaze was triggered in the unauthorised structure. The terrace, officials confirmed, was illegally converted into a storage facility for garments and tailoring equipment.
Although the building was constructed according to approved plans and basic firefighting equipment was in place, the fire rapidly spread through the flammable stock stored on the terrace — including clothing material, wooden furniture, four air conditioners, six computers, sewing machines, ceiling fans, POP décor, wiring, and other fittings.
The fire department received the first distress call at 10.52am.
A fire tender from Ganjipeth station arrived on the scene within two minutes. It was soon joined by additional fire engines from Cotton Market, Civil Lines, Lakadganj, Sakkardara, and Kalamna fire stations. In all, five tenders were deployed. Their swift and coordinated response ensured that the fire was confined to the terrace area, preventing it from spreading to the lower floors or the adjoining buildings.
Firefighters battled the flames for nearly four hours, finally dousing the blaze completely by 2.30pm.
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Fortunately, no casualties or injuries were reported.
Items destroyed in the fire included designer clothes (blazers, sherwanis, fabrics), wooden furniture, water coolers, air conditioners, a lift unit, fans, POP installations, tailoring machines, and electronic gadgets. While the exact financial assessment is still underway, initial estimates have pegged the losses at around Rs2.5 crore.
Civic officials confirmed that a detailed investigation will be conducted into the unauthorized construction and possible violations of fire safety norms.
Gandhibagh, known for its dense commercial establishments, has witnessed several such fire incidents in the past, often linked to illegal expansions and storage practices.