Wagholi Flat Fire: Pune Family Escapes Thanks to Heroic Actions of Lady of the House

Wagholi, 2nd November 2024: A fire broke out in a flat on the fifth floor of the D-wing of Ivy Botanica in Wagholi, Pune, destroying the contents of the living room. Five people, including a small child and an elderly family member, were present in the flat when the incident occurred. All managed to escape due to the quick thinking of the lady of the house. However, a relative was admitted to the hospital for smoke inhalation.

The flat belongs to Shaibal Chakan Kumar Chaki (age 39). The fire broke out in the morning while Shaibal, his wife, son, and father were sleeping in the bedroom. A relative sleeping in the hall was alerted by smoke but was unaware of the fire’s source. Eventually, those in the bedroom also noticed the fire. Shaibal’s wife acted quickly, first rescuing her son and then helping her father-in-law, who sustained minor burns on his hand, before they escaped. A resident from a nearby building saw the fire, and Shaibal and a friend attempted to prevent journalists from documenting the incident, claiming that photos and information gathering were not permitted.

Eventually, the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) Fire Brigade was notified, but by then, the fire had spread significantly, causing an internal AC unit to explode and destroying all items in the hall. The fire brigade managed to control the blaze, which had started from the hall’s gallery side, allowing everyone to escape without further injuries. While the exact cause of the fire remains unknown, the fire brigade suspects a short circuit as the possible source.

Firefighters Sandeep Shelke, AV Gosavi, Mahesh Patil, Umesh Phalke, and Ashok Bade brought the fire under control. Senior Police Inspector Pandit Rejitwad from the Wagholi Police Station also visited the scene.