Five people lost their lives in the fire that broke out at Terminal 1 gate of Serum Institute of India (SII)’s facility in Pune, Maharashtra, on January 21, reported news agency PTI quoting fire officials.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken cognizance of this unfortunate incident and said, "In this sad hour, my thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest".
Anguished by the loss of lives due to an unfortunate fire at Serum Institute of India. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest: PM Narendra Modi #SerumInstituteFire pic.twitter.com/JuiMTR4dar— ANI (@ANI) January 21, 2021
Also Read: Fire breaks out again at SII building in Pune after 5 died in afternoon blaze
President Ramnath Kovind has as well expressed his grief for the families in mourning.
The loss of lives in a fire accident at the Serum Institute of India in Pune is distressing. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families. I wish speedy recovery of the injured: President Ram Nath Kovind (file pic) pic.twitter.com/L8Caiix2z2— ANI (@ANI) January 21, 2021
Chief Executive Officer Adar Poonawalla also expressed his condolences to the families.
We have just received some distressing updates; upon further investigation we have learnt that there has unfortunately been some loss of life at the incident. We are deeply saddened and offer our deepest condolences to the family members of the departed.— Adar Poonawalla (@adarpoonawalla) January 21, 2021
He said equipment worth hundreds of crores were damaged in the fire, and the company is expected to face revenue loss of more than Rs 1,000 crore over the next one to two years.
Serum Institute of India's building in Manjri (Pune) caught fire due to some ongoing welding work. Insulation material, which is inflammable, was kept near the work site. So far, 5 deaths have been reported: Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope pic.twitter.com/OTqhmuOLcr— ANI (@ANI) January 21, 2021
He also added that the place where the COVID vaccine is manufactured was not affected. He was informed that preparation was going on at that building (site of fire) was to make the Rotavirus vaccine.
No Impact on COVISHIELD Vaccine
Earlier, CEO Adaar Poonawalla had confirmed there has been no loss of any Covishield vaccine, despite a few floors being burnt down.
"I'd like to reassure all govts & public that there would be no loss of Covishield production due to multiple production buildings that I'd kept in reserve to deal with such contingencies at Serum Institute of India," said Poonawalla on Twitter.
Six people rescued, prima facie cause seems to be an electric fault
Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray had tweeted saying six people had been rescued and the prima facie cause of the fire seems to be an electric fault.
When the fire broke out, ten fire tenders were immediately were deployed to control the blaze.
Pune Municipal Corporation’s Chief Fire Officer told CNN News18 there were four people inside the building and three had been rescued. Large smoke was hampering the work of bringing the fire under control, the official added.
The fire continued to rage on the fourth and fifth floors of the 'Special Economic Zone 3' building inside the premises, reported news agency ANI.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Namrata Patil told PTI that the fire broke out at 2.45 pm on the fourth and fifth floor of the SEZ 3 building in the Serum Institute premises.
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