A fire engulfed an abandoned old palace in a densely populated area near the Ashok Stambh on Tuesday morning. While the structure was uninhabited, five to six families living in an adjacent mansion were safely evacuated by the fire brigade. The fire was brought under control after over two and a half hours of continuous efforts.
The incident occurred in the old Tambat Lane near Kansara Mangal Office in Sunday Peth. The palace, owned by Vitthalbhai Tambat, had been in ruins and vacant for years. The fire started around 5:30 am, and nearby residents immediately alerted the Panchvati fire brigade.
Firefighters deployed two engines from the Panchvati center and one from headquarters to combat the blaze. Sanjay Kanade from the fire brigade reported that their priority was to safely evacuate families from the nearby mansion.
The palace, constructed primarily from teak wood, fueled the fire, causing it to spread rapidly. Despite relentless efforts, most of the structure was reduced to ashes. Even after the main fire was extinguished, smoldering wood reignited flames occasionally, requiring prolonged water spraying to ensure complete extinguishment.
The cause of the fire remains unclear, and no casualties or injuries were reported in the incident. However, the fire left the palace severely damaged, with only charred remnants remaining. The quick action of the fire brigade ensured the safety of nearby residents and prevented further damage to surrounding properties.