“fire at illegal candle factory Pune” : Fire at Candle Manufacturing Unit in Jyotiba Nagar Kills Six, Injures Ten

Accident – death – Obituary News : Pimpri Chinchwad police have registered a case against four individuals in connection with the devastating fire that occurred at a sparkling candle manufacturing unit in Jyotiba Nagar, Talwade. The tragic incident resulted in the loss of six lives and left ten others injured, with four of them in critical condition and currently receiving treatment at Sassoon Hospital.

The first information report (FIR) was filed by Balasaheb Vaidya, a 38-year-old fire officer at Talawade Fire Station, under the jurisdiction of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC). The FIR was lodged at Dehu Road police station on Friday night.

The accused have been identified as Sharad Sutar, aged 40, who operated the sparkling candle manufacturing unit named ‘Shivraj Enterprises’; Nazir Amir Shikalgar, a resident of Chinchwad who owned the land where the alleged illegal unit was established; and two women. Notably, Sutar himself was among the ten individuals injured in the fire.

Shikalgar has been arrested and presented before a court on Saturday. Senior Police Inspector Ajit Lakade, the investigating officer, stated that the court has remanded Shikalgar in police custody until December 12.

Inspector Lakade further added, “During the ongoing investigation, it was revealed that Sutar, Shikalgar, and the two women played a role in operating the illegal candle-manufacturing unit where the fire broke out. The investigation is still underway.”

All four individuals have been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 304 (2) (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 285 (negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter), 286 (negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance), as well as sections of the Explosives Act. The FIR states that Shivraj Enterprises was unlawfully operating on the premises of Rana Fabrication Company in Jyotiba Nagar. It further alleges that explosive materials were used without proper precautions for the safety of workers during the manufacturing of sparkling candles.

The fire incident occurred around 2:45 pm, with approximately 20 workers present at the unit when the fire broke out. Fire brigade teams swiftly responded to the explosion report at 2:49 pm and managed to extinguish the flames within a few minutes. The fire rapidly spread due to the presence of inflammable materials stored in the compound. Multiple ambulances were dispatched to the scene, and the charred bodies of the victims were transported to the hospital.

Identifying the deceased has proven to be a challenging task, as some bodies were severely charred and beyond recognition. Even the relatives who hurried to YCMH Hospital were unable to identify the bodies. DNA tests are currently being conducted to establish the identities of the deceased.

According to Shekhar Singh, the Commissioner of Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), “Explosive materials were apparently being used in the manufacturing process when the fire broke out. Some workers attempted to escape but found the shutter closed. Once the shutter was opened, some managed to flee, while others were trapped inside.”

Singh further revealed that the illegal unit was situated in the Talawade area, which falls under the Red Zone where permission for such manufacturing activities is not granted. He expressed concern by stating, “Five years ago, the state government suspended safety audits and inspections of industrial units. Consequently, numerous illegal units have been operating, posing a significant threat to the lives of helpless workers. Factory inspectors are responsible for monitoring such units, but these measures are often neglected.”

The investigation into this tragic incident is still ongoing, with authorities diligently working to gather evidence and ensure that justice is served for the victims and their families..