Solapur: A major fire broke out at a towel-manufacturing unit in the Akkalkot MIDC area of Maharashtra’s Solapur city early Sunday morning, claiming at least three lives. The blaze erupted around 3 am at the Central Industry factory and quickly intensified, prompting a large-scale emergency response.
Fire brigade teams rushed to the scene shortly after receiving the alert and began rescue and firefighting operations. Three workers were pulled out from the burning structure and taken to a nearby hospital. Their condition is said to be critical.
Despite several hours of firefighting, the fire remained uncontrolled by morning. Officials fear that five to six more workers may still be trapped inside the factory.
The factory’s operations, which involved towel production, likely contributed to the rapid spread of the flames due to the combustible nature of the materials stored inside. Witnesses reported seeing huge flames engulfing the premises, visible even from a distance.
A large contingent of fire personnel and police officers has been deployed at the site. Efforts to douse the fire and search for those possibly trapped are ongoing. Authorities are yet to determine the exact cause of the fire.
