Ahmedabad: The recent fatal fire at a bed-and-breakfast establishment in Delhi’s Haus Khas area was still fresh in many minds when thick smoke poured out of a restaurant at Devnandan Complex near M J Library on Saturday evening. With hotels and accommodation facilities operating in the same building, fears of a larger disaster spread quickly. However, a rapid response by Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services (AFES) prevented the situation from escalating and ensured that no one was injured.The incident occurred at Treasure Dine restaurant in the complex and was initially treated as a major fire call because of the volume of smoke emanating from the premises. Fire officials rushed eight vehicles, including fire tenders and water tankers, from multiple fire stations to the spot. Personnel from Jamalpur Fire Station were among the first responders.Chief fire officer Amit Dongre said preliminary findings indicated that tissue paper stored near a cold storage unit caught fire due to heat generated in the area. “The smoke was substantial, which made the incident appear much more serious. In reality, it was not a major fire,” Dongre said.By the time firefighters arrived, restaurant staff had already evacuated customers and cleared the premises. Firefighters quickly brought the blaze under control and prevented it from spreading to adjoining sections of the building. Officials confirmed that there were no casualties or injuries and that the restaurant suffered no major structural damage.Fire department sources said the incident served as a reminder of how quickly a seemingly minor fire can turn dangerous in a crowded commercial building. The complex contains restaurants, hotels and accommodation units, with guests present at the time of the incident. “Had the fire spread beyond its point of origin, evacuation operations could have become significantly more complicated,” said a fire officer.The officer added, “The situation had the potential to create challenges similar to those witnessed in the recent Delhi fire tragedy, particularly in rescuing guests of adjoining hotels from the upper floors.”Officials attributed the incident to negligence in storing combustible materials near equipment capable of generating heat. They stressed that flammable items such as tissue paper should never be kept close to refrigeration or electrical systems without proper safety measures.News of the fire spread rapidly across the area, attracting large crowds outside the complex. Although flames were not visible from the exterior, the dense smoke prompted many people to stop, gather near the building and record videos on their mobile phones, leading to temporary traffic congestion around the premises.
