A devastating fire erupted in a residential area of Kolhapur on Tuesday morning, causing significant property damage and financial loss. The incident, which originated from an electrical fault, quickly escalated due to a gas cylinder explosion.
How the Fire Started and Spread
The blaze began at approximately 10:30 am on Tuesday in a house situated behind the Navshya Maruti temple in the Shahunagar area of Rajarampuri. Preliminary reports indicate the cause was an electrical short circuit. The situation turned critical when the intense heat led to the explosion of a cooking gas cylinder stored on the premises.
This explosion acted as a catalyst, causing the flames to spread with alarming speed through the home of 53-year-old resident Rashid Maktum Sayyed. The property is located in a densely packed neighborhood, which raised immediate concerns about the fire jumping to adjacent homes.
Extent of Damage and Financial Loss
The fire completely destroyed household belongings, reducing furniture, appliances, and personal effects to ashes. In a particularly severe blow, Rs 2.5 lakh in cash kept inside the house was also consumed by the flames.
Authorities have assessed the total financial impact of the disaster. According to official records, the estimated loss stands at a substantial Rs 15 lakh. This figure encompasses the value of the destroyed structure, all household contents, and the lost cash.
Firefighters Avert a Major Tragedy
Despite the severe nature of the fire and the high risks posed by the closely built houses in Shahunagar, a larger catastrophe was successfully averted. The Kolhapur fire brigade responded promptly to the emergency call and arrived at the scene quickly.
Firefighters faced challenging conditions but worked diligently to contain the inferno. It took them nearly two hours of relentless effort to fully bring the blaze under control. Their swift and professional action is credited with preventing the fire from spreading to other structures in the congested locality, thereby saving many other homes from potential damage.
The incident has highlighted the ever-present danger of electrical fires, especially in older neighborhoods, and underscores the critical importance of both fire safety precautions and rapid emergency response.
