Five killed in Serum Institute Fire
On Thursday, a building in the Manjri campus of the Serum Institute of India in Pune caught fire, after which four people were evacuated and five bodies were also found. Pune Mayor Murlidhar Mohol gave this information. The Maharashtra government has ordered an inquiry into the incident. On the other hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief for those killed in the serum incident.
The fire site was away from the Corona virus vaccine manufacturing unit, so there has been no effect on the manufacture of ‘Covishield’ vaccines. Mohol said, “First 4 people were feared trapped here, they were rescued. But later it was found that the bodies of 5 people have been exhumed in the floor which was completely burnt to ashes.”
Deputy Commissioner of Police Namrata Patil told ‘PTI-Bhasha’ that the fire broke out on the fourth and fifth floors of SEZ 3 building located in the premises of the Serum Institute at around 3 pm. For the nationwide vaccination program of Covid-19, ‘Covishield vaccine is being manufactured in the Manjri center of Serum Institute itself. Sources said that the building where the fire broke out is part of the site under construction of the Serum Center and is one km away from the Covishield construction unit, so the fire has not affected the construction of the Covishield.
An official of the fire department said that the cause of the fire has not yet been ascertained. The official said that a team of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has reached the spot. Pune Police Commissioner Amitabh Gupta said that all the people trapped in the building where the fire broke out have been taken out. “15 tankers of fire extinguishers were put to work and were controlled at around 4.30 pm,” the official said. “The cause of the fire has not yet been ascertained.” Furniture, wires, cabins have turned to ashes. No important machinery or equipment was placed on those floors where there was a fire.
Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray told reporters in Mumbai that according to preliminary information, the fire was caused due to power shortage. “As per preliminary information, the fire did not take place where Covid-19 vaccines are being manufactured but in the unit where BCG vaccines are being manufactured,” said Thackeray.
At the same time, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said that the state government has ordered an inquiry into the fire. Pawar said, “I have obtained information from Pune Municipal Corporation about the incident and have been directed to conduct a detailed investigation into the incident.” He said that there was no effect on the process of making vaccines there due to the fire. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has asked the local administration to bring the fire under control.
PM Modi expressed grief over deaths due to fire at Serum Institute of India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed grief and expressed condolences to the families of the victims, calling the incident of five deaths due to fire at the Serum Institute of India in Pune “unfortunate”. PM Modi tweeted, ” ‘I am saddened by the unfortunate deaths due to fire at the Serum Institute of India. In this hour of grief, my condolences are with the families who have lost loved ones. I wish the injured recover soon. “
