Pune, May 25 (). At least seven timber godowns and eight adjoining houses were gutted in a fire in Pune around 4 am on Thursday.
There was no casualty in the arson.
According to the Pune Fire Brigade, the incident took place in a wood market area of Bhawani Peth and the fire is still on after almost six hours.
At least 40 fire engines and around 140 firefighters are battling to bring the blaze under control, while gas cylinders have been removed from nearby houses to prevent a bigger tragedy.
An official said that due to the heat and dry wood, the fire quickly spread to nearby wood shops and four houses, as well as the water pressure was too low due to supply restrictions, which hampered the extinguishing of the fire.
The fire broke out in about half a dozen classrooms of the government-run RA Kidwai Urdu School, which is behind Timber Mart and is currently closed for holidays.
Local eyewitnesses accused the Pune Municipal Corporation of not providing proper facilities in the timber market despite repeated pleas.
The area is also plagued by illegal construction, lack of proper infrastructure, due to which the area has become vulnerable to such disasters.
PK/SKP
Follow Niharika Times for all the big news from India and abroad. Like us on Facebook and Twitter . Always visit Niharika Times for latest news.
