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Hindustan Times
19-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Eight killed in major fire at textile factory in Solapur
Eight persons, including three women and a child, were killed in a massive fire at a factory in Akkalkot Road MIDC area of Solapur on Sunday, officials said. Prima facie, a short in the circuit triggered the blaze around 3:45 am at Central Textile Mills, that manufactures Solapuri Chaddar and towels. The factory, stood on a 12-gunta plot, had a ground-plus-two-floor structure. The deceased have been identified as Usman Mansuri (87), owner of the company; Anas Mansuri (24); Sika Mansuri (24); Yusuf Mansuri (1.5); Ayesha Bagwan (45); and factory workers Mehtab Bagwan (51), Hina Bagwan (35), and Salman Bagwan (18). While trying to douse the fire, Rakesh Salunkhe, chief of the Solapur Municipal Corporation's fire department, and two other firefighters sustained injuries during the rescue operations. As soon as the fire brigade received the emergency call, multiple teams rushed to the spot and battled the blaze for over 10 hours. Ten fire engines were deployed, with water tenders arriving from Pandharpur, the NTPC project, Akkalkot, and Chincholi MIDC. However, due to the congested layout of the area, firefighters faced significant challenges in accessing and extinguishing the flames. Firefighters used high ladders, breathing apparatus, and aerial platforms to rescue residents in nearby structures. Complicating the operation further, the factory owner had constructed a small religious place within the premises, which created additional hurdles for the rescue teams. Despite continuous efforts, the fire could not be fully brought under control for several hours, largely due to the presence of highly flammable materials like cotton, threads, and chemical liquids. Authorities said the factory owner and his family lived on the first floor of the building, while residential arrangements for staff were made within the same premises. This cohabitation made it difficult for occupants to escape once the fire broke out. Sadashiv Padune, sub-divisional officer of Solapur, said, 'According to neighbours, the fire spread rapidly after a loud blast. The presence of combustible materials caused the flames to engulf the premises quickly. It took us nearly 12 hours to control the fire. Unfortunately, eight bodies have been recovered.' BJP MLA Subhash Deshmukh and former MLA Narasayya Adam visited the site on Sunday. Survivors and local residents expressed anger, alleging that the fire brigade's delayed response contributed to the high death toll. They claimed that the lack of modern firefighting equipment and poor preparedness hindered timely rescue operations. Some of the victims reportedly made desperate phone calls from a bathroom where they had taken refuge, pleading for help that arrived too late. Sadik Sheikh, a local resident, said they dialled 112 to seek help, but the fire brigade reached the spot too late. 'Because of the delayed response, the Mansuri family members were charred to death. The fire department must take responsibility for these deaths.' Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has expressed deep grief over the loss of lives due to fire tragedy. Modi also wished speedy recovery for those injured in the accident. The Prime Minister announced an ex-gratia from PMNRF of Rs. 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs. 50,000 for those injured. In the evening, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis also expressed grief over the incident and announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 5 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased. The Prime Minister's Office posted on X;'Pained by the loss of lives due to a fire tragedy in Solapur, Maharashtra. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon.' CPI (M) leader Narasayya Adam alleged that adequate efforts were not made to rescue the victims. 'The factory is very old and employs over 200-225 workers. The fire brigade arrived too late, allowing the fire to spread rapidly. They took more than 6–7 hours to control it. The factory owner and his family were trapped inside and no efforts were made to rescue them in time. I spoke to the municipal officer and urged immediate corrective action,' said Adam. Adam also said he would call Maharashtra's chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday, demanding an inquiry and strict action against the civic officials responsible. He also sought compensation for the victims' families. Baba Mistry, former corporator of the Solapur Municipal Corporation, alleged that the fire brigade lacks sufficient firefighting equipment, which caused the delay in dousing the blaze, taking over 10 hours. According to fire chief Rakesh Salunkhe they received the fire call between 4 AM and 4:15 AM. 'A total of 10 fire tankers were deployed and continuously refilled, amounting to over 50 water tanker trips. 'Open areas near the factory were occupied with stockpiles of textile yarns, blocking access to our vehicles. We had to use ladders and cut through window grills to carry out the rescue,' he said. Solapur Municipal commissioner Sachin Ombase refuted allegations of delay. 'Our first vehicle reached the spot on time. But due to the intensity of the fire, our men could not immediately enter the premises. There was only one entry-exit point, and unauthorised structures and stockpiles blocked access. Despite this, we used ladders to gain entry and fight the fire.' Ombase added that residential use is not permitted in MIDC areas. 'We will conduct a detailed survey and issue notices to all such factories violating these norms.'
Time of India
18-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Factory owner, 87, toddler grandson among 8 killed in Maha factory blaze
Agency photo KOLHAPUR: Eight people died early Sunday when a fire swept through a textile factory in Maharashtra's Solapur district. Among the dead were 1.5-year-old child Yusuf Mansuri and his 87-year-old grandfather Usman Mansuri , owner and founder of the factory that produced bath and hand towels. The blaze broke out between 3.30am and 4am at Central Textile Company in Akkalkot Road MIDC , likely triggered by an electrical short circuit. Victims included four members of the factory owner's family and four from a worker's family who lived at the site. Rescue efforts were hampered by a religious structure erected near the main entrance by the owner's family. Firefighters accessed the building using ladders and breached a 20-foot back wall to enter. Three people were pulled out alive, but thick smoke and flames stalled further rescues. Three firefighters, including the chief fire officer, suffered burns on their palms and faces. They continued efforts through the morning and afternoon. Around 8am, bodies of Mehtab Bagwan (51), Hina Bagwan (35), and Salman Bagwan (18) were found. By 3pm, remains of Usman, Anas Mansuri (24), Shika Mansuri (24), Yusuf, and Ayesha Bagwan (45) were also found. While the Mansuris were related to the owner, the Bagwans were from the worker's family. A distant relative identified the Mansuri family's remains. No immediate family members survived. SDO Sadashiv Paddune said the factory spanned roughly 10,000 to 12,000 sqft. Residents reported hearing a loud sound before flames erupted. The fire raged for six to seven hours, with recovery efforts lasting over 12 hours. Property losses, including machinery and raw material, are estimated at Rs 1 crore.
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Time of India
Toddler & 87-year-old factory owner among 8 charred to death in a fire at Solapur towel-making unit
Kolhapur: Eight people, including a one-and-a-half-year-old child, lost their lives in a major fire that engulfed a factory in the Akkalkot Road MIDC during the early hours of Sunday. The victims included four family members of the factory owner and four members of a worker's family who lived on the premises. The fire broke out between 3.30am and 4am, with initial investigations pointing to an electrical short circuit. The Solapur Municipal Corporation's fire brigade responded promptly, with initial support from a nearby NTPC plant fire tender. All other fire tenders from the Solapur Municipal Corporation also reached the spot. The rescue operation faced challenges as the entrance to the Central Textile Company was blocked by a religious structure that had been erected by the factory owner's family. The firefighters had to access the building via ladder and create an alternative entry by breaking a 20ft back wall. Despite rescuing three people initially, dense smoke and flames prevented further immediate rescues. The operation resulted in injuries to three firefighters, including chief fire officer Rakesh Salunkhe. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Access all TV channels anywhere, anytime Techno Mag Learn More Undo The firemen sustained burns to their palms and faces despite wearing specialised protective gear. Despite their injuries, the firemen persisted with the rescue efforts until completion. Around 8am, three bodies were retrieved — Mehtab Bagwan (51), Hina Bagwan (35), and Salman Bagwan (18). Later, at 3pm, rescuers recovered the bodies of Usman Mansuri (87), Anas Mansuri (24), Shika Mansuri (24), Yusuf Mansuri (1.5), and Ayesha Bagwan (45). The factory, established by Usman Mansuri, manufactured bath and hand towels. While the deceased with the Mansuri surname belong to the owner's family, those named Bagwan belong to the worker's family. According to Sadashiv Paddune, sub-divisional officer of Solapur collector's office, the factory occupied 10-12 gunthas (one gunta is 1,000 sqft) of land. Local residents reported hearing a loud noise, likely from the electrical fault. The fire raged for six to seven hours, with recovery operations lasting 10-12 hours. A distant relative identified the owner's family's remains, with no immediate family members surviving. The fire caused extensive damage to raw materials and machinery, with losses estimated at Rs 1 crore. The premises included living quarters for both the owners and residential workers.
