A major fire broke out at iFedora Services Pvt Ltd inside Magnet Corporate Park in Thaltej area of western Ahmedabad and panic ensued followed by dramatic rescue operation. Thick black smoke spread quickly through the building and employees were struggling to escape from it.
Nine people were reportedly hospitalised after the incident while pictures of employees hanging from windows trying to climb down the building went viral on social media. Serious concerns about workplace safety and emergency evacuation arrangements in commercial buildings have been raised after the incident.
The initial reports said the fire started when employees were in the office (second floor). Smoke filled the building quickly so visibility reportedly decreased and stairways and exits were “blocked.” Employees were scared as they tried to move away from smoke and flames.
Because normal evacuation routes were blocked some workers had to find alternative ways out. People soon gathered outside the building trying to help those trapped inside.
At least two people reportedly jumped from the building’s windows and were injured. Some employees tried to climb down using ladders brought by local residents and rescuers.
Some were seen hanging onto window grills and narrow ledges while waiting for help. People in surrounding area saw what was happening and many rushed there after they noticed thick smoke coming out of the building. Ladders and torches were used by locals to help people who could not reach ground safely.
Videos and photos on social media showed just how serious the incident was. Some of the pictures reportedly show people hanging from the building’s outside while crowds stood below watching rescue operations.
VIDEO | Gujarat: Fire breaks out at Magnet corporate park in Thaltej area of Ahmedabad. Further details awaited. (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/d8jp61yd2p) https://t.co/sqQlpSsxV6
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 2, 2026
The pictures showed how hard it was for employees trapped inside to escape people on the ground tried to help those trying to get out while emergency crews worked to reach people who were still inside. Rescue became difficult because of thick smoke in the building.
Fire brigade personnel were rushed to Magnet Corporate Park after they received information about the blaze. Several teams of emergency were pressed into action to put out the fire and evacuate people.
Firefighters tried to bring situation under control while checking floors affected by fire and helping people reach safety. Injured were taken to hospitals for treatment (reports said nine people hospitalised following incident but details of nature and severity of every injury awaited from hospital authorities).
The incident has also highlighted the need for fire safety arrangements in offices and commercial establishments. IT companies and corporate parks usually have large numbers of employees so proper emergency planning is needed.
Fire alarms, smoke detectors, accessible staircases, emergency lighting, fire extinguishers and clearly marked evacuation routes can help people respond quickly when a fire breaks out. Regular fire drills are equally important because employees must know how to reach safe locations without panic during an emergency.
Electrical installations and other potential fire hazards in commercial buildings also need to be inspected regularly.
Smoke can travel quickly through corridors, staircases and ventilation systems so even if flames are confined to one part of a building people may not be able to escape unless emergency exits remain open and fire protection systems work properly all the time.
Building management teams therefore have to make sure that emergency exits are accessible at all times and fire protection systems are operational always.
The fire at iFedora Services Pvt Ltd is yet to be traced. Authorities will have to go into the affected premises and electrical installations first to see how it started and if safety lapses were involved in the incident.
Details of injured employees, property damage and official findings are awaited.
The fire at Magnet Corporate Park has worried employees, their families and the community around them. What started as an emergency in a workplace turned into a frightening rescue when people had to be rescued from windows and building ledges.
This incident reminds us that fire safety cannot be treated like a routine formality infrastructure, inspections and response systems need to be in place for busy commercial buildings to protect lives.
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