Chemical godown gutted

PUNE, April 20: A large stock of chemicals was gutted and several scrap shops damaged in a major fire at a godown at Nehrunagar in Pimpri, this evening. The fire could have resulted in a major mishap as another godown having household gas cylinders was also located nearby. The cylinders were removed before the fire had begun to spread to the adjacent shops.

The fire began at the godown owned by Hari Traders at Nehrunagar survey number 103. A row of seven other godowns was also destroyed. The flames which had leaped up to 50 feet in the sky could be seen from far distances. The drums containing the chemicals exploded in the air. There were no casualties.

Twelve fire tenders belonging to the PCMC, PMC, Telco, Bajaj Auto, Century Enka and Telco brought the fire under control after two hours. According to preliminary investigations, the fire could have spread due to a short circuit. Hitesh Kapasi, a worker at the godown said that the fire broke out immediately after a switch was put on. Hitesh and three other workers who were in the godown fled after the blaze broke out.