Pune, 8th July 2025: A major tragedy was narrowly avoided in Katraj today after an alert and off-duty firefighter heroically saved a four-year-old girl who was moments away from falling from a third-floor window. The incident took place around 9:06 AM at Sonawane Building in Gujar Nimbalkarwadi, Khopde Nagar.
The child, identified as Bhavika Chandane (4), was seen dangerously hanging out of a bedroom window on the third floor of her locked apartment. A resident, Umesh Sutar, first raised the alarm after hearing the child’s cries.
Another neighbour, upon checking from his gallery, spotted the girl and alerted others. In a fortunate turn of events, firefighter Yogesh Arjun Chavan from Kothrud Fire Station, who happened to be nearby while on leave, immediately rushed to the scene.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Chavan quickly climbed to the third floor. He discovered that the flat was locked from the outside, and the child was alone inside. Bhavika's mother had briefly stepped out to drop her elder daughter at school and was returning at the same moment.
Chavan swiftly coordinated with the mother to get the door unlocked and, without wasting a moment, pulled the frightened child back inside through the same window she was hanging from. His timely and courageous action saved the little girl’s life.
The local residents have widely praised Chavan for his heroic deed, commending his alertness, presence of mind, and unwavering commitment to duty, even while off-duty. His swift intervention not only prevented a potential tragedy but also highlighted the importance of community vigilance and readiness in emergency situations.