17 killed, 19 injured in major fire at ammunition depot in Maharashtra’s Pulgaon

A major fire at an ammunition depot in Maharashtra’s Pulgaon has killed 17 and injured 19.

The fire broke out between 1:30 and 2 am on Tuesday at the Central Ammunition Depot at Pulgaon, which is about 110 km from Nagpur. Two officers and 15 Defence Security Corps (DSC) jawans are among those killed in the fire, said defence sources.

The injured include two officers and 17 DSC jawans. Defence officials have said one shed at the ammunition depot caught fire. While the main fire has been extinguished, officials have not ruled out secondary fires and explosions.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) is being established to look into the cause of the fire. Citizens of the villages close to the depot have been evacuated for safety.

The Central Ammunition Depot at Pulagon is among the largest repository of ammunition and ordnance in India.