Four-storey building collapses in Athwalines

Surat: A four-storey residential building, constructed 35 years ago, collapsed in Athwalines area of the city on Tuesday morning. Vishal Darshan Apartment that started tilting around 1.30am, collapsed at 4.00am. Fire Brigade personnel evacuated nearly 40 residents from 10 flats of the apartment before it collapsed. There were no casualties.
It was at 1.30am that Fire Brigade officials received a call from the residents of the building, located just 200 metres from municipal commissioner’s bungalow in Parle Point. Fire Brigade officials upon reaching the spot found the building tilting to one side. They immediately ordered evacuation of people living in the dilapidated structure. The building had four flats on each floor. In all, 40-odd people lived in the building. People living in two buildings adjacent to Vishal Darshan Apartment were also evacuated.
Basant Parikh, chief fire officer of Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC), said, “We feared the collapse of the structure. So, we made sure that each resident of the building was shifted out of it. We regret that some people could not collect their belongings, but for us saving human life was a priority.”
M D Chavda, executive engineer of Athwa zone, SMC, said, “This building on 700 square yard land and a few located nearby were built 35 years ago. Office-bearers of management committee of the building were issued a notice in August 2018, asking them to carry out necessary repairs and produce a structural stability certificate to us. However, they paid no attention to the notice.”
Bhagirath Apartment located in its vicinity was vacated some time ago. Saraswati Apartment, a 10-storey structure, also located nearby, was fully vacated on Tuesday.