Five dead in fire accident at Serum Institute of India, Pune

Five dead in SII fire outbreak

Fire broke out at Serum Institute of India, Pune on Thursday that led to the death of five. SII is a leading producer of COVID 19 vaccine Covishield. The casualties were declared by state officials three hours after fire shrouded the building. The incident took place in daylight when uncontrollable fire hazard occurred in a vaccine production unit.

Pune Mayor Murlidhar Mohol told ANI, "Five bodies were found by the rescue team while four people were salvaged from the accident." The mayor recognized the dead as workers in an under construction site. The cause of fire has not been confirmed but it is being speculated that the ongoing welding work was responsible. The state Health Minister Rajesh Tope said that fire was the result of welding sparks. As the smoke filled the Serum Institute's Manjari Campus, police evacuated nine people trapped in the hazard. SII CEO Adar Poonawala assured that vaccine production won't be hampered.

Few floors were destroyed in the incident. Serum Institute of India is one of the largest producers of Oxford University's/AstraZeneca Vaccine currently fulfilling requirements of India. More than 12 billion vaccine doses are destined to be produced this year while rich countries have reserved around 9 billion doses and further orders are expected. Developing nations will buy vaccines from SII. "I reassure that there will be no drop in #COVISHIELD Vaccine production as we have other facilities to compensate for the loss," Poonawala tweeted and thanked the City Police and Fire department for their timely action.

Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar ordered an investigation into the fire. Fire erupted around 2:45 PM on 4th and 5th floors in the SII building which was calmed in two hours. Visuals of horrific fire went viral. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) reached the spot immediately when needed. Fifteen water tankers ambushed the streams to put off fire till 4:30 PM. Chief Fire Officer Prashant Ranpise said that cooling action started on the spot. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray sought reports from state machinery regarding fatalities and losses incurred in the fire hazard.