Huge fire in Pune slum, many shanties gutted

Several shanties were gutted in a major fire that engulfed a slum pocket in Pune's Shivaji Nagar area Wednesday but no casualty was reported in the mishap, officials said.

The blaze erupted in the Patil Estate slum adjacent to the old Pune-Mumbai Highway at around 1 PM, fire brigade officials said, adding that it spread rapidly due to explosion of LPG cylinders.

People rushed to safety as the fire raged, they said.

Officials said the highway was closed for vehicular movement for some hours due to the fire.

"The fire spread rapidly due to explosion of LPG cylinders. Over 60 shanties gutted in the fire. No casualties are reported as people rushed to a secured area," a fire brigade official said.

The flames were put out completely after more than two hours with the help of 30 fire tenders, he said, adding that the cooling operation is on at the location.

The exact cause of the incident is not known immediately.