Pune: A major fire erupted Monday (December 9) morning at a warehouse in Chikhali, Pimpri-Chinchwad, causing massive plumes of smoke visible from several kilometers away.

The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) Fire Brigade deployed nine fire engines to the site to contain the fire, which broke out around 10 a.m. in the Chikhali-Kudalwadi area.

Firefighting teams are working tirelessly to bring the blaze under control. While the cause of the fire is yet to be determined, the region is notorious for frequent fire incidents due to the high density of scrap businesses and unauthorized warehouses.

Residents have expressed growing concerns over repeated fire incidents in Chikhali, citing health risks from the smoke and proximity to residential areas.

Many allege that despite the responsibility of the Municipal Corporation to regulate these warehouses, action against unauthorized setups has been lax, with accusations of corruption surfacing.

Recurring Issue in Chikhali

Fires in Chikhali are a recurring problem due to the high number of unregulated scrap warehouses. Citizens and activists have urged the Municipal Corporation to take decisive action and implement permanent solutions to prevent such incidents.

Health concerns are mounting as dense residential areas surround these warehouses. Residents fear that the smoke and toxic emissions from the fires pose serious risks to their well-being.

The fire department continues to work on controlling the current blaze, with authorities yet to assess the full extent of the damage.