Surat: A fire broke out at a UCO Bank branch located in Shalimar Complex on Station Road in Bharuch town on Sunday morning, gutting crucial documents, furniture and office infrastructure, while firefighters managed to save the bank’s lockers containing valuables.The blaze, reported around 11am by a nearby mall employee who noticed smoke billowing out of the closed premises, prompted a swift response from the Bharuch Municipality fire team. However, poor ventilation inside the first-floor branch made firefighting operations difficult, officials said.District fire officer Chirag Gadhvi said multiple fire tenders were pressed into service as the team battled dense smoke to access the source of the flames. “We had to break open the doors and deploy heavy exhaust fans to clear the smoke. Once visibility improved, we focused on the active fire zones, which helped in preventing further damage and saving key assets,” he said.Around 15 firefighters worked for nearly two hours to bring the situation under control. The branch, spread across three to four merged shops on the first floor, suffered extensive damage to records, electrical fittings and furnishings.Despite the destruction, the bank’s locker section — located away from the origin of the fire — remained untouched. Officials confirmed that valuables stored in lockers, as well as cash reserves, were safe.Preliminary findings suggest a short circuit may have triggered the fire. Authorities believe concealed wiring within plaster of Paris (POP) structures, along with partitioned office spaces and combustible stationery, allowed the flames to spread rapidly.Fire officials noted that the proximity of the fire station played a crucial role in preventing a larger disaster. Further investigation into the exact cause is underway.
