A massive fire erupted at a high-end automobile repair workshop in Nagpur's Hingna MIDC area in the early hours of Friday, causing extensive damage to luxury vehicles, office infrastructure, and spare parts. The estimated loss from the blaze stands at a staggering Rs 1.5 crore.
Swift Firefighting Response Prevents Greater Disaster
The MIDC Hingna fire station received an emergency call at around 2.31 am. A fire tender was dispatched immediately. As the flames grew more intense, local police sought additional support from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation's Fire and Emergency Services. A team from the Trimurti Nagar fire station, led by Station Officer Suresh Atram, reached the scene by approximately 3 am. The team included driver Anil Bhaltilak and firemen Kartik Shahane and Harish Dhote.
The inferno had already engulfed the entire workshop, making operations extremely challenging. In total, three fire tenders—one from Wadi and two from the NMC—were deployed to battle the blaze. Their concerted efforts brought the fire under control and prevented it from spreading. "Had the Trimurti Nagar firefighting team not arrived, the fire could have engulfed the adjoining areas," revealed a police source. Their swift action helped save assets valued at an estimated Rs 25 lakh.
Luxury Vehicles Gutted in the Blaze
The affected unit was identified as VAS Automotive India Pvt Ltd, located at E-1/1, Central MIDC Road, Hingna. Officials confirmed that the workshop specialized in repairing premium luxury brands. The list of brands serviced there included:
- Audi
- BMW
- Mercedes-Benz
- Jaguar
- Land Rover
- Volvo
- Porsche
Several cars from these high-end marques were among those completely destroyed in the fire. The workshop is owned by Dhanesh Pawnarkar, a resident of Plot No 224, Kali Mata Mandir, Surve Nagar. Attempts to contact Pawnarkar for comment were unsuccessful.
Cause Under Investigation, No Injuries Reported
Fire officials stated that the exact cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. Investigations are ongoing, and details regarding the workshop's fire safety compliance and preventive measures are being verified. In a relief amid the significant material damage, no injuries were reported in the incident, as confirmed by MIDC fire station officer Anand Parab.
The incident has raised questions about fire safety protocols in industrial areas and the vulnerability of high-value assets. A detailed investigation is expected to shed light on the origins of the fire and any potential lapses.
