Mumbai: A fire broke out in a security scanning machine at the Maharashtra Assembly on Monday evening, causing a brief panic. Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar confirmed that the fire, caused by a short circuit, was brought under control promptly.
In a post on social media platform X, Speaker Narwekar stated, “A fire broke out due to a short circuit in the scanning machine in the reception area of Vidhan Bhavan. But now the fire has been brought under control.”
Meanwhile, in a separate and more tragic incident, at least eight people lost their lives in a massive fire that engulfed a factory in Solapur’s MIDC area in the early hours of Sunday.
According to officials, the fire broke out around 4 a.m. on Akalkot Road. Chief Fire Officer Rakesh Salunkhe, who was injured during the operation, said that the firefighting efforts lasted 15 to 17 hours, with cooling operations still underway.
“We received a call at 4 a.m. about a fire in the MIDC area. Upon arrival, we found a factory on fire and deployed all firefighting vehicles. We rescued five people, three of whom were pulled out during the initial hours,” said Salunkhe. He also confirmed that three fire officials, including himself, were injured in the process.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences for the victims and announced financial assistance. “Pained by the loss of lives due to a fire tragedy in Solapur, Maharashtra. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon,” read a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office on X.
The PMO also announced ex gratia compensation of ₹2 lakh to the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.
These incidents come amid a troubling rise in fire-related accidents across the country. On the same day, a separate fire in the Gulzar Houz area of Hyderabad claimed at least 17 lives, including eight children.
