Pune: Massive Fire Breaks Out at Historic Wada; No Casualties Reported
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Nana Peth, 6th April 2025: A major fire broke out at the century-old Parekh Wada near Ram Mandir in Nana Peth around 8:08 PM on Saturday, prompting a large-scale response from Pune Fire Brigade. No casualties were reported, though the three-storey wooden structure suffered extensive damage.
According to preliminary information, the fire department dispatched fire engines after receiving an emergency call. Upon reaching the spot, firefighters found the heritage wooden building engulfed in flames.
Recognizing the severity of the situation, the fire control room deployed a total of 10 fire engines, 4 water tankers, 2 additional fire engines, and 5 more water tankers from the vehicle depot.
Chief Fire Officer Devendra Potphode was present at the scene, overseeing the operation along with five senior officers and over 60 fire personnel.
“Firefighters strategically parked vehicles on three adjacent roads and began spraying water to douse the flames. As a precautionary measure, nearby residential buildings were evacuated due to heavy smoke. Firefighters also safely removed a gas cylinder from the wada, averting a potentially larger explosion”, Potphode said.
He further added, “Despite the narrow lanes and ongoing roadwork posing serious challenges to firefighting operations, personnel managed to bring the blaze under control within an hour. Cooling operations continued late into the night to prevent flare-ups.”
While the cause of the fire is yet to be determined, officials confirmed that no injuries or deaths occurred in the incident. Investigations are underway to ascertain how the fire started.
