Fire breaks out in basement parking of commercial complex in Nashik, prompting evacuation

Nashik: Panic prevailed at a busy commercial complex on Tuesday evening after a fire broke out in the basement parking area, forcing the evacuation of patients from a couple of hospitals located in the building. No injuries were reported."The fire erupted around 5.30 pm and involved three parked vehicles, including an ambulance. As a precaution, patients from some hospitals were shifted to another hospital within the complex.," said inspector Jayant Shirsath, of the Upanagar police station.Police said evacuation was limited as the blaze affected only the vehicles in the basement and did not spread to the building's structure. Patients from other hospitals in the complex were not required to be moved.Rajendra Sonawane, of the Nashik Road fire brigade, said, "Fire personnel received a call about thick smoke billowing out of the basement around 5.30pm. Two fire tenders and an ambulance were immediately sent to the spot. Although the fire was confined to the vehicles, heavy black smoke spread rapidly through the building, prompting emergency measures in select hospital areas.""The fire was doused within 30 minutes, and the situation was brought under control," Sonawane added.Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as smoke filled the building. "People started shouting, and the smoke made it difficult to breathe. Everyone tried to get patients and relatives out using the staircases," said Sanjay Patil, a relative of a patient. He added that people waited outside until the situation normalised, and later returned to the hospital.