Solapur, May 19 — A devastating fire broke out at the Central Textiles towel manufacturing factory in the Akkalkot Road MIDC area of Solapur district, Maharashtra, claiming the lives of eight people, including five members of a single family. Two firefighters sustained injuries while battling the blaze and are currently receiving treatment at a government hospital.
The fire, which began on Saturday, raged for nearly 13 hours before being brought under control by fire brigade teams. The cause of the fire is under investigation, with preliminary reports suggesting the presence of chemical materials in the factory worsened the situation, making fire suppression efforts extremely challenging.
Victims Trapped Inside Factory Residence
According to Police Inspector Sadashiv Padge, who is leading the investigation, three workers were initially rescued on Saturday but were declared dead upon arrival at the hospital. The factory owner and his family were found hiding inside a bedroom within the premises, where they had taken shelter to escape the flames.
On Sunday, rescue teams finally managed to access the bedroom and pulled out five unconscious individuals, who were immediately rushed to a local government hospital. Tragically, all five were declared dead on arrival.
Confirmed Identities of the Deceased
The deceased include:
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Usman Mansoori (87), owner of Central Industries
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Anas Mansoori (24)
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Shifa Mansoori (24)
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Yusuf Mansoori (1.6 years old)
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Ayesha Bagban (38)
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Mehtab Bagban (51)
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Hina Bagban (35)
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Salman Bagban (38)
Of the eight victims, five belonged to the same family residing within the factory complex. The remaining three were factory workers.
Ongoing Investigation
The fire was fully extinguished by Sunday evening. Officials from the Akkalkot Police Station are continuing their probe to determine the exact cause of the blaze and whether there was any lapse in fire safety protocols. Authorities have not ruled out legal action pending the outcome of the investigation.
State Response
Local authorities have expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and assured full support to those affected. An official statement from the Maharashtra Fire Services is expected shortly.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.