Massive fire, explosions rock Deolai; Rs 60 lakh damage reported

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

A devastating fire broke out in Deolai on Monday evening, engulfing five shops and triggering a powerful gas cylinder explosion that shook the area. The explosion shattered glass windows, cracked buildings and left a massive hole in a fourth-floor apartment. The inferno reduced shops, two-wheelers, and bicycles to ashes, while terrified residents watched in horror.

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How the fire started

The blaze erupted around 5 pm at Ashok Hivale's mattress shop near Manjeet Pride on Deolai Main Road, reportedly due to a short circuit. Flammable materials like cotton and mattresses fueled the flames, which rapidly spread to four neighbouring shops a dairy, footwear store, fabrication shop and a flour mill. Locals attempted to douse the fire, while firefighters Deepraj Gangavane, Haribhau Ghuge, Mushtaq Tadvi, and Vinayak Kadam rushed to the scene.

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Explosion sends shockwaves across the area

As firefighters battled the blaze, a gas cylinder in the fabrication shop exploded, hurling into the air. The deafening blast shattered windows of nearby buildings, cracked apartment walls, and sent residents fleeing in panic. The explosion also destroyed a gas-transporting three-wheeler and a sports bike. Authorities quickly blocked traffic in the area.

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Impact felt in Shivajinagar

The blast was so intense that people in Shivajinagar heard it. An air compressor also exploded, worsening the destruction. The fourth-floor flat of Suhas Sant in Tirumala Royal Apartment suffered a gaping hole, though his family remained unharmed as they stood in the opposite direction.

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Rs 60 lakh loss estimated

Ashok Hivale's Dairy – Rs 10 lakh

Aleem Shaikh’s Amar Footwear – Rs 8 lakh

Khalid Shaikh’s Janata Mattress Shop – Rs 4 lakh

Babasaheb Narale’s Fabrication Shop – Rs 2 lakh

Swati Kale’s Mahalaxmi Flour Mill – Rs 3 lakh

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Forensic investigation launched

Authorities suspect the fire started in the mattress shop, but the exact cause remains under investigation. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. A forensic team will conduct further analysis. "The cause of the fire is under investigation. Fortunately, there were no casualties." – PI Sangram Tathe Satara Police Station