Surat police investigating the massive blaze that gutted the multi-storey Shyam Sangini Textile Market in the early hours of September 9 have concluded the fire was deliberate, authorities said on Saturday. Investigators say CCTV footage shows an individual entering the market with his face covered, spraying a liquid on packed consignments and setting them alight.
Fire lasted more than 14 hours; heavy commercial loss
The conflagration began around midnight on September 8 and continued into the following afternoon, with the Surat Fire Department taking over 14 hours to bring the flames under control. No casualties were reported, but traders suffered substantial losses; police estimate destroyed stock at about ₹24 crore.
- Location: Shyam Sangini Textile Market, a six-storey building in Surat.
- Scale: 284 large shops, each approximately 2,000 sq ft.
- Timing: Fire reported to the Fire Department around 12.50 am on September 9.
- Estimated loss: Goods worth about ₹24 crore destroyed.
Investigators say finished textile consignments kept ready for inter-state dispatch — timed ahead of the Dussehra and Diwali festival seasons — were among the items gutted by the blaze. The market's layout and volume of stacked ready-to-ship parcels contributed to the intensity and spread of the fire.
Police identify alleged perpetrator from CCTV; former employee reported
Police have identified a man in the CCTV footage who climbed to the sixth floor of the market at roughly 12.20 am. The footage, according to investigators, shows the individual with his face partially covered, spraying a liquid from a bottle on packages lying in a passage, after which he is seen using a match. The person remained inside the building for around four minutes before leaving.
"We have the man's name and address but we are not disclosing those details until he is apprehended," said Saroli police inspector S R Vekariya.
Sources in the investigation say the suspect is a resident of Maharashtra who had worked as a labourer in the market for approximately six months before abruptly quitting a few months ago. The market manager, identified in police material as Rahul Kumar Pandey, reportedly spotted the individual in the CCTV footage, which helped investigators trace his movements on other cameras outside the complex.
Operational and economic implications for Surat's textile trade
The Shyam Sangini complex houses hundreds of large-format shops that service both domestic and inter-state buyers. Traders in Surat, a major textile and garment trading hub, typically build up inventories before festival periods when shipments increase sharply. Losses of this magnitude are likely to have ripple effects:
- Immediate cash-flow pressure on shop-owners who lost finished goods ready for dispatch.
- Potential delivery disruptions to buyers in other states during the peak seasonal window.
- Insurance and claims activity that will determine how quickly affected traders recover.
Market insiders said many consignments were packed and staged for outbound transport, increasing the proportion of finished goods lost compared with raw materials or work-in-progress. The combination of stacked parcels and internal passageways likely contributed to rapid fire spread once ignition occurred.
Investigation status and next steps
Saroli police said they are pursuing leads based on camera footage and witness inputs. Investigators traced the suspect's movement beyond the market using external CCTV, and have recorded statements from market staff and the manager. Police limited the release of identifying details pending arrest, citing ongoing investigative necessity.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Market | Shyam Sangini Textile Market (six storeys) |
| Number of shops | 284 (approx. 2,000 sq ft each) |
| Estimated loss | ₹24 crore |
| Fire duration | Over 14 hours; reported ~12.50 am on Sept 9 |
Local trade associations and affected traders are expected to meet in the coming days to assess insurance coverage, claim procedures and steps to secure remaining stock. The timing of the fire, on the cusp of major festival demand, increases the urgency of recovery planning for many businesses based in and around Surat.
Police have not filed charges publicly as the suspect is yet to be arrested. The probe remains active and authorities said further updates will be provided as investigative milestones are completed.
