Tragic Fire Claims Life in Pune Hotel
A 32-year-old man lost his life in a devastating fire that broke out in a hotel room in Pune's Somwar Peth area on Friday afternoon. The incident has raised serious concerns about fire safety measures in budget accommodations across the city.
Discovery of the Incident
The victim, identified as Mohit Bhupendra Shah, a resident of Daund in Pune district, had checked into Hotel Orient on Thursday night. According to police reports, Shah did not open his room door on Friday morning, which initially raised no alarms among hotel staff.
The situation took a tragic turn around 12 noon when hotel employees noticed smoke emanating from Shah's room. Immediately recognizing the danger, the staff alerted both the police and fire department while attempting to control the situation themselves.
Emergency Response and Aftermath
A rapid response team from the Samartha police station and Pune Fire Brigade rushed to the scene. Fire officer Prashant Gaikar provided details of the operation: "Before our arrival, hotel staff had already managed to extinguish the flames. Unfortunately, we discovered Mohit Shah unconscious inside the room."
The victim was immediately transported to Sassoon Hospital, where medical professionals pronounced him dead upon arrival. The prompt action by hotel staff, while commendable, couldn't prevent the tragic outcome.
Investigation Findings
Senior police inspector Umesh Gitte of Samarth police station revealed crucial information from their preliminary investigation. "Our initial probe indicates that the deceased was an alcoholic. We strongly suspect that the fire originated from a cigarette lit by Shah while under the influence of alcohol."
The investigation further uncovered that one of the beds in the hotel room had caught fire, generating massive amounts of smoke that likely caused fatal suffocation. While Shah sustained burn injuries on one hand, authorities believe suffocation was the primary cause of death.
As per standard procedure, police have registered an accidental death report and continue their investigation to determine the exact sequence of events. The incident serves as a stark reminder about fire hazards in enclosed spaces, particularly when combined with substances that impair judgment.
