Wardha: At least 17 people were killed and more than a dozen others were injured when a massive fire broke out in the wee hours at the Central Ammunition Depot (CAD) at Pulgaon in Wardha district of Maharashtra today.
15 Defence Security Corps (DSC) jawans and two officers were killed while 17 jawans and two officers have been injured, some of them are critical, an official said.
The figure of casualties, including fatalities is expected to increase even as nightlong fire-fighting efforts continued inside the sprawling CAD.
The cause of the blaze is not yet known but fire-fighting operations by the defence fire brigade are underway in full swing at Asia's second biggest Central Ammunition Depot.
The main site of the inferno, which is a shed, has been extinguished and attempts are being made to stabilise the situation. However, secondary fire and explosions has not been ruled out and precautions are being taken to control the fire.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) is being established to look into the cause of the fire. The damage to assets of defence and fatalities, if any are being ascertained, the official said.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the fire is under control and the state government will extend all possible help to the people affected by the incident.
"According to my information, fire is now under control. This is very unfortunate. We have suffered huge loss of lives and property. We are providing whatever assistance and resources required, primarily medical assistance," he said.
Army Chief General Dalbir Singh has already left for Pulgaon. He will visit the incident site to take a first-hand stock of losses caused in the fire.
Local eyewitnesses said that there were multiple explosions after a blaze due to unknown reasons at the defence depot around 1.30 am today. Citizens of the villages close to the depot have been evacuated for safety.
PM Modi expresses grief on loss of lives
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief on the loss of lives caused by the fire at the Central Ammunition Depot in Pulgaon. He also extended his condolences to the bereaved families.
The Central Ammunition Depot at Pulagon is among the largest repository of ammunition and ordnance in India. Pulgaon is situated around 40 km from Wardha, the district headquarters, which is 80 kms from Nagpur.
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