Ahmedabad, June 17
A portion of a weak three-storey residential building in Dharmi Society of Shahibaug in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, collapsed on Tuesday, prompting an urgent rescue operation by the Fire and Emergency Services.
Officials confirmed that no casualties were reported, as all residents were successfully evacuated in time. The building, a G+3 structure with a makeshift shed on the third floor, had long shown signs of structural deterioration. According to fire officials, cracks had appeared in the upper sections of the building, particularly the third-floor shed, which eventually gave way, causing the roof and a section of the staircase to collapse.
The impact also led to part of the second floor caving in. Alerted immediately, a team from the Shahpur fire station responded swiftly and evacuated 16 residents, including infants, elderly citizens, and families, to a safe location nearby. “The building was in fragile condition for quite some time. We had also informed the local authorities about its danger,” said a senior officer from the fire brigade.
Officials have since requested the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation to inspect the remaining structure and initiate demolition work to prevent further risk, especially with the onset of monsoon rains. Residents living in other ageing buildings across the city have been urged to report structural issues to their respective ward offices without delay.