By Special Correspondent
Pune: A massive fire broke out at a three-storey wooden wada (traditional mansion) in Nana Peth on Sunday night, completely gutting the entire structure. The blaze started around 8 PM near the Ram Mandir area and quickly engulfed the old wooden building. Fortunately, no casualties or injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains unknown at this time.
According to the Fire Department, the fire broke out at the historic Parekh Wada, located in the busy Nana Peth area. As soon as the alert was received, fire tenders were immediately dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, firefighters witnessed a full-blown blaze consuming the decades-old wooden structure.
Given the severity of the fire, additional support was summoned. In total, 10 fire engines, 4 water tankers, 2 emergency rescue vehicles (Devdoot), and 5 more tankers from the vehicle depot were deployed to bring the situation under control.
Firefighters strategically positioned their vehicles on all three accessible roads surrounding the wada and launched a coordinated water assault to douse the flames. Fortunately, the structure was unoccupied at the time of the incident. Officials confirmed that no one was inside, and no injuries were reported.
Due to the thick smoke, nearby residential buildings were evacuated as a precaution. Firefighters also safely removed gas cylinders from inside the wada, averting a potentially larger disaster. The team ensured that the fire did not spread to adjacent structures. After nearly an hour of intense firefighting, the blaze was brought under control, and cooling operations are currently underway.
The incident occurred in a congested market area where roadwork is ongoing. Narrow lanes and construction activity posed significant challenges for fire trucks trying to access the site.
Chief Fire Officer Devendra Potphode personally supervised the operation. He coordinated the efforts of around 5 senior officers and 60–70 fire personnel, ensuring a timely and effective response.
Investigations into the cause of the fire are still ongoing.
