A ferocious blaze erupted at a Flipkart warehouse adjacent to the Swaminarayan Temple in Ahmedabad's Chandkheda area on Thursday (January 22), sending thick plumes of smoke billowing into the sky. Firefighters battled the inferno for hours, raising concerns over stored goods and potential hazardous materials. No casualties have been reported so far.
Fire outbreak and rapid spread
The fire broke out suddenly at the Flipkart warehouse located right beside the prominent Swaminarayan Temple in Chandkheda, a bustling suburb of Ahmedabad. Eyewitnesses reported hearing explosions as flames quickly intensified, likely fuelled by combustible packaging, electronics and other e-commerce inventory stacked high inside. Thick black smoke visible from afar prompted immediate panic among nearby residents and devotees at the temple.
Firefighting response
Multiple fire tenders from Ahmedabad Fire Brigade rushed to the spot, deploying high-pressure hoses and ladders to combat the blaze from multiple angles. Operations continued late into the night, with foam and water jets targeting hotspots to prevent spread to the adjacent temple and surrounding buildings. Preliminary assessments suggest the fire was contained to the warehouse, though the cause, possibly an electrical short circuit or arson, remains under investigation.
The warehouse, a key logistics hub for Flipkart in the region, likely suffered extensive damage, with losses running into crores. Local traffic on Chandkheda roads faced diversions, and temple authorities urged caution. Police have secured the perimeter, and forensic teams are probing the origin.
Flipkart issues a statement
In a statement Flipkart Spokesperson said, "We are aware of a fire incident that occurred today at a commercial complex in Motera, Ahmedabad. Our primary concern is the safety of our people, and most importantly, we can confirm that all personnel are safe, with no reported injuries or untoward incidents. Based on preliminary information available to us, the fire originated elsewhere within the general commercial complex and later spread to adjacent facilities, including our micro-fulfilment centre. Our facility operates in full compliance with all applicable safety regulations and holds the necessary statutory fire safety approvals. Our on-site teams responded immediately and worked closely with emergency services to support containment efforts. We are currently working in full coordination with the local authorities as they manage the situation and conduct their assessment. We will provide further updates as they become available."
