130 firemen battle ISRO's Ahmedabad facility fire, officials say cause of blaze not known yet

A major fire broke out at the Space Application Centre of the Indian Space Research Organisation in the city on Thursday afternoon. As many as 130 firefighters with 25 fire trucks had to be called in to bring the situation under control. The cause of the fire has yet to be known, though it is believed to have started from an electrical short-circuit.

The fire broke out inside a simulation lab located on the third and fourth floor of the building in Satellite. The Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services (AFES) was informed around 1.30pm, and they first sent seven fire engines to the spot. "After our team reached the spot, we came to know the fire was major and more help was called," said Rajesh Bhatt, Additional Chief fire officer. "A total of 130 firemen and 25 firefighting vehicles were called to the spot to control the situation. More than the fire, the smoke in the building made it very difficult for us"

Police personnel were deployed in the area for security reasons. Senior police officials were also present at the spot. "The entire premise is absolutely safe and secure now, nothing more to worry about here," said KLN Rao, Sector-2 Additional DG. "The cause of the fire is not yet found. To investigate the matter, a forensic team has been called. The fire broke in the third and fourth floors of the building and further investigation is on."

A fire department source told DNA that an antenna testing was going on in the lab when the fire broke out from an electrical short-circuit. As the lab had a lot of inflammable material such as wood, PVC, etc, the flames spread fast and filled the building with smoke.