Pune News: Massive Blaze Guts Illegal Scrap Warehouses In Chikhali; 60 Firefighters Battle Fire For Over Two Hours
Pune News: Massive Blaze Guts Illegal Scrap Warehouses In Chikhali; 60 Firefighters Battle Fire For Over Two Hours
Pimpri-Chinchwad, June 23, 2026: A major fire broke out in the early hours of Monday at a cluster of illegal scrap warehouses near Shri Mahadev Temple in Kudalwadi, Chikhli, destroying large quantities of plastic, rubber, wood and other highly combustible materials.
According to the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) Fire Department, the blaze was reported at around 4:20 am on June 23. Given the intensity of the fire and the seriousness of the situation, firefighting teams from Chikhli, Talawade, Moshi, Bhosari, Pimpri, Nehrunagar, Pradhikaran and Thergaon fire stations were immediately rushed to the spot.
The firefighting operation was led by Fire Officer Rushikant Chipade, who, along with fire personnel, coordinated efforts to contain the blaze through strategic planning and continuous firefighting operations.
Officials said the fire was extremely intense, requiring repeated refilling of water tankers from pumping stations at Chikhli and Tata Motors. A large quantity of water was used during the operation.
The warehouses were located adjacent to one another, which increased the risk of the fire spreading rapidly. Firefighters also faced significant challenges as the area is characterized by narrow, winding roads and congested lanes, making it difficult for fire engines to reach the exact location. As a result, fire hoses were laid from a safe distance to combat the flames.
Since residential houses were located close to the affected warehouses, emergency evacuation measures were undertaken to ensure residents’ safety. Fire crews also sprayed water toward nearby homes to prevent the fire from spreading and causing damage to surrounding properties.
As overhead electrical wires were difficult to identify in the darkness, the power supply to the area was temporarily disconnected to eliminate the risk of electrical accidents and ensure the safety of firefighters and equipment.
A large number of residents gathered at the scene to witness and record the incident, leading to traffic congestion and obstructing access routes for emergency vehicles. Police assistance was sought to manage the crowd and facilitate firefighting operations.
After nearly two-and-a-half hours of continuous efforts, firefighters succeeded in bringing the blaze under primary control. A total of 60 firefighters and one fire station officer participated in the operation.
Cooling operations are currently underway, with teams continuing to douse hot spots and smouldering debris to prevent any possibility of the fire reigniting.
Officials said the owners of the affected warehouses had not yet arrived at the scene, and therefore the extent of the financial losses could not be immediately assessed. The exact cause of the fire also remains unknown and will be determined after a detailed investigation.
