A devastating fire, driven by strong gusty winds, swept through Dhamangaon(V) village in Bhiwapur tehsil, approximately 80 kilometers from Nagpur, on Saturday evening. The blaze destroyed 40 houses, injured one person, and charred livestock. According to the district administration, no fatalities were reported.
Fire Cause and Spread
Preliminary reports indicate that the fire may have been triggered by a spark or a live wire falling onto a house. Within minutes, the flames spread uncontrollably, engulfing multiple homes and cattle sheds. Panic-stricken residents attempted to douse the fire, but the intense flames rendered their efforts ineffective. By midnight, the village, home to 800 residents, resembled a ghost hamlet, with houses charred and most families forced to flee.
Firefighting Operations
Firefighting teams were quickly mobilized from multiple locations. Fire tenders from Umred and Bhiwapur were the first to arrive, followed by reinforcements from Nagpur city and neighboring regions. District Disaster Management Officer Ankush Gawande stated that additional fire tenders from Nagbhid, Brahmapuri, Chimur, and Chandrapur were deployed, bringing the total number of vehicles to around eight. Coordination between district authorities ensured additional support, and the situation was continuously monitored. Nagpur Collector, district administration officials, revenue department officials, senior police officials, and Ramtek MP Shyamkumar Barve visited the site.
Rescue and Rehabilitation
Collector Kumar Ashirwad confirmed that all affected residents were shifted to shelter homes, the fire was under control, and cooling operations were underway. Superintendent of Police (Nagpur Rural) Harsh Poddar noted that while a short circuit during the storm is suspected, a forensic investigation will determine the exact cause. Additional SP (Nagpur Rural) Anil Mhaske reported that the senior citizen who sustained burns is now out of danger. Villagers from nearby areas assisted in evacuation and firefighting efforts.
Damage Assessment
Firefighting operations continued late into the night as authorities worked to bring the situation under control. Officials stated that the blaze was largely contained. The scale of destruction left several families homeless, with rows of houses reduced to ashes. Authorities plan to conduct a detailed damage assessment once the fire is completely extinguished and will initiate rehabilitation measures. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, though strong winds and electrical sparks are believed to have played a key role in the rapid spread of the blaze.
