Pune: Massive Fire Destroys Illegal Scrap Warehouses in Chikhali; Firefighters Battle Flames for Over Two Hours
Pune, June 23, 2026: A major fire broke out in the early hours of Monday at a cluster of illegal scrap warehouses near Shri Mahadev Temple in Kudalwadi, Chikhali, triggering a massive firefighting operation that continued for more than two hours.
According to the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) Fire Department, the incident was reported at around 4:20 am. The fire rapidly engulfed large quantities of plastic, rubber, wood and other highly combustible materials stored inside the scrap godowns.
Considering the intensity of the blaze, firefighting teams from Chikhali, Talawade, Moshi, Bhosari, Pimpri, Nehrunagar, Pradhikaran and Thergaon fire stations were rushed to the spot. The operation was led by Fire Officer Rushikant Chipade.
Fire officials said the warehouses were located adjacent to each other, increasing the risk of the flames spreading quickly. The situation was further complicated by the narrow and congested roads in the area, which made it difficult for fire engines to reach the exact location. Firefighters had to lay hoses from a safe distance to tackle the blaze.
A fire department official said, “We got the call around 4:22 am. Nine vehicles and 35 personnel were deployed. A JCB was used to remove scrap material and cooling operations are currently underway. No casualties have been reported.”
Officials said the fire was extremely intense and required repeated refilling of water tankers from pumping stations at Chikhali and Tata Motors. A large quantity of water was used during the operation.
As several residential houses were located close to the affected warehouses, residents were evacuated as a precautionary measure. Fire crews continuously sprayed water on nearby homes to prevent the fire from spreading to surrounding properties.
VIDEO | Maharashtra: Fire breaks out in a scrap godown in Pune's Chikhali area, no casualties reported. More details are awaited.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 23, 2026
A fire official says, "We got the call around 4:22 AM. Nine vehicles and 35 personnel have been deployed. A JCB is helping us remove the scrap, and… pic.twitter.com/cU1FQW5xmL
The power supply in the area was temporarily disconnected as overhead electrical wires were difficult to identify in the darkness, reducing the risk of electrical accidents during firefighting operations.
A large crowd gathered at the scene, leading to traffic congestion and obstructing access for emergency vehicles. Police personnel were called in to manage the crowd and ensure smooth movement of firefighting equipment.
After nearly two-and-a-half hours of continuous efforts, firefighters succeeded in bringing the blaze under primary control. A total of 60 firefighters and one fire station officer participated in the operation.
Cooling operations continued through the morning to eliminate hotspots and prevent the fire from reigniting.
No injuries or casualties were reported in the incident. The owners of the affected warehouses had not reached the site at the time of the operation, and the extent of the losses is yet to be assessed. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown and will be determined after a detailed investigation.
