A major blaze destroyed nineteen makeshift dwellings (Huts) near the Ram Manohar Lohiya Garden in Hadapsar during the early hours of Saturday, triggering panic among residents. The incident occurred in a settlement inhabited by daily wage labourers, where the fire was first reported at around 2.30 am, according to officials from the Pune Fire Brigade. Flames quickly engulfed the cluster of bamboo-and-tin structures, lighting up the night sky and prompting an urgent emergency response. Authorities were alerted immediately, and fire personnel rushed to the location to prevent the blaze from spreading further across the densely packed huts.
Firefighters battled the flames for nearly two hours before finally containing the inferno and securing the area. A total of five fire engines were deployed to the site to assist in the operation, ensuring that the fire did not extend beyond the affected settlement. Although no injuries or fatalities were recorded, all nineteen huts were extensively damaged in the incident. Residents managed to evacuate in time after noticing the fire, but they were unable to salvage their possessions. Household goods, essential items, and personal belongings were reduced to ashes as the structures collapsed.
Fire officer Pramod Sonawane stated that around nineteen small shanties, along with three two-wheelers, were completely destroyed in the blaze. According to preliminary accounts shared by locals, the fire may have started with the two-wheelers before rapidly spreading to nearby homes. Some residents suspect that the vehicles might have been deliberately set ablaze by unidentified miscreants, leading to the larger fire. Meanwhile, police personnel also reached the scene to maintain order and assist with evacuation efforts. Authorities have initiated an investigation to determine the exact cause of the incident and verify the claims made by residents.