DISH orders Aether unit shut, probe launched into Hojiwala fire

Surat: The Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health (DISH) has launched an inquiry into the massive fire at a building of Aether Industries Limited in Hojiwala Industrial Estate in the Sachin area. The Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) will conduct a separate probe to assess the environmental impact of the blaze.A DISH official said the unit has been ordered to remain shut until further notice. "Along with the inquiry, the premises will remain closed. Further action will be taken based on the findings," the official said.There were conflicting claims over the cause of the fire. Initially, officials of Aether Industries said the blaze may have spread from an adjoining plywood unit. Later on Thursday, the company stated that the fire began after a transformer of Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company Ltd (DGVCL) caught fire.However, DGVCL officials released CCTV footage on Friday showing that the fire first started inside the warehouse and only later spread to the transformer. The footage is expected to play a key role in the investigation. A senior DGVCL official said the company would take action against what it described as "false claims" by Aether Industries.Authorities are now examining the sequence of events, safety compliance at the unit, and the extent of environmental damage as multiple agencies continue their probe.The fire broke out at the industrial unit's warehouse on Wednesday and initially could not be controlled by teams from Hojiwala Industrial Estate and Sachin Industrial area. As the situation worsened, teams from Surat Fire and Emergency Services were called in. More than 20 fire tenders were deployed, and the district collectorate declared a major call, bringing in additional support from Hazira fire teams.Firefighting efforts were hampered after liquid material stored in the warehouse spilled onto the road, making access and control operations more difficult for emergency responders.