A swift response by the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) fire brigade averted a potential tragedy in Pune on Monday afternoon. Six students were successfully rescued after being trapped inside a private coaching institute when a fire erupted in a commercial building on Kunal Icon Road, Pimple Saudagar.
Chaotic Scene as Flames Engulf Building
The incident occurred around 2:45 PM on the building's fourth floor, near the coaching academy. Officials reported that the fire intensified rapidly, creating a highly dangerous situation. "Thick smoke and raging flames made entry into the premises extremely challenging," recounted a fire brigade official. The speed of the blaze meant the coaching centre on the fourth floor was filled with smoke within minutes, forcing a group of children to seek safety on an upper floor where a hotel is located.
Mass Evacuation and Challenging Rescue
While six students were directly trapped and required rescue, the firefighting team also ensured the safe evacuation of 42 other students from a nearby coaching academy. These students had already moved to the upper floor upon noticing the fire. The PCMC fire control room immediately dispatched four fire tenders to the site, which is in a densely populated area.
Rushikesh Chipade, PCMC's chief fire officer, highlighted the risks. "The risk of large-scale damage was very high due to the dense surroundings and multiple floors. Our team responded within minutes of the alert and worked tirelessly under extremely challenging conditions to bring the situation under control," he said.
Local Demand for Fire Station Highlighted
The incident has brought back into focus the long-standing demand from Pimple Saudagar residents for a dedicated fire station in the area. Chief Fire Officer Chipade confirmed that "The proposal has already been submitted to the concerned authorities in PCMC." This event underscores the critical need for enhanced fire safety infrastructure in rapidly developing urban zones to ensure quicker emergency response times and prevent future calamities.
Thanks to the timely and brave efforts of the firefighters, a major disaster was prevented, and all students were accounted for safely. The cause of the fire is likely under investigation by the relevant authorities.
