Pune: A domestic gas cylinder caught fire while pilgrims were cooking during the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi procession. Fire brigade personnel, stationed for security, quickly brought the fire under control, preventing a major disaster. The incident occurred around 10 a.m. at Valunj Phata on the Saswad-Jejuri road.

The revered Palkhi of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj was en route from Sant Sopandev's Saswad to Khanderaya's Jejuri on Thursday (July 4).

At Valunj Phata, while dindi number 78 pilgrims were preparing their meals, a domestic cylinder suddenly ignited. The pilgrims attempted to douse the flames with sand. Simultaneously, they contacted the fire brigade vehicle, which was part of the security detail for the procession.

Pune Fire Brigade personnel arrived promptly, extinguishing the fire with water and averting a major tragedy. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The pilgrim community expressed their gratitude to the fire brigade personnel. Pune Fire Brigade Chief Devendra Potphode praised the officers and personnel for their commendable work.

The operation involved Fire Officer Pramod Sonawane, Driver Narayan Jagtap, Team Leader Vilas Dadas, Firemen Babasaheb Chavan and Chandrakant Navale, and Attendant Yuvraj Gawari.

For many years, Pune Fire Brigade has been deploying vehicles and personnel from Alandi to Pandharpur to provide immediate assistance during emergencies in the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi procession. Other municipal corporations, PMRDA, and municipal councils also deploy fire vehicles for security during the event.