Elderly Man Injured in Kitchen Blaze
A 99-year-old man sustained burn injuries when a domestic gas leak triggered a fire at his sixth-floor apartment in Pune's Dhankawadi area on Sunday afternoon. The incident occurred around 1 pm at Dnyaneshwar Housing Society, located near Shankar Maharaj Math along the Pune-Satara Road.
Fire brigade officials identified the victim as Baburao Dattatraya Mahamuni, who was alone in his apartment when the accident took place. The Pune Fire Brigade control room received an emergency call approximately at 1 pm, prompting immediate dispatch of a firefighting team to the location.
Rapid Response Limits Damage
According to Fire Officer Santosh Bhilare, the blaze originated in the kitchen due to a leaking domestic gas connection. "The victim may have started the gas stove for cooking or other purposes," Bhilare stated. "But the gas leaked out and caused a fire that spread across the kitchen."
The fire resulted in damage to kitchen items, electrical wiring, and wall paint. Fortunately, alert neighbors noticed smoke emerging from Mahamuni's apartment and took swift action.
"Neighbours noticed the smoke coming out of the apartment," Bhilare confirmed. "They got the victim out and called the fire brigade."
Stable Condition After Treatment
Firefighters managed to extinguish the flames within minutes of arriving at the scene. Mahamuni received prompt medical attention after being rescued from the burning apartment.
"We reached the spot and doused the flames within a few minutes," Bhilare reported. "The victim's relatives were informed about the incident, while he was taken to a hospital for treatment. His condition was stable."
The incident highlights the importance of gas safety precautions, particularly for elderly individuals living alone. Regular maintenance of gas connections and immediate response to any suspected leaks can prevent such dangerous situations.
