A major fire at Hotel Vitthal led to large-scale firefighting and evacuation efforts in the crowded Civil Lines area.
May 18, 2026: A massive fire broke out at Hotel Vitthal in the busy Civil Lines area, triggering panic and a major emergency response in one of the city’s most crowded commercial zones. Thick black smoke and intense flames were seen rising from the hotel building located near shopping complexes, offices, restaurants and the popular Indian Coffee House.
Fire brigade teams rushed to the scene and launched rescue and firefighting operations. Multiple fire tenders were deployed to prevent the blaze from spreading to nearby commercial buildings, including densely packed marketplaces and structures such as Indira Bhavan. Authorities also began evacuating surrounding shops and restaurants, especially locations storing inflammable materials.
Officials said no casualties or trapped individuals had been confirmed so far, which came as a major relief amid the escalating emergency. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown. The incident caused heavy chaos and traffic disruption across the locality as police and administrative officials monitored efforts to bring the situation under control.