Timber, machines worth Rs 2 cr gutted in saw mills fire
   Date :19-Sep-2020

Timber machines worth Rs
TIMBER, machines and other material collectively worth over Rs 2 crore were gutted in a devastating fire that broke out in a cluster of saw mills at Lakadganj on Thursday. Two timber merchants who were injured and trapped in one of the five saw mills that were engulfed in the inferno were rescued by the firefighters.
 
After combating the fire for more than 15 hours, a team of firefighters, led by Chief Fire Officer Rajendra Uchake, from Fire & Emergency Services Department of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) brought the fire under control. However, smouldering from ruins of the five saw mills continued till Friday afternoon. The cause behind the fire could not be known so far.
 
Shri Chandrika Trading Company, manufacturers of wooden and chemical doors, owned by Maganbhai Patel, suffered the maximum loss. Hitesh Maganbhai Patel and Harsh Vasantbhai Patel were injured in the incident. Similarly, wooden logs, finished timber products, machinery and other material at Dhanji Somji & Company, Bhagwanji Shyamji Timber Mart, Dhirajlal Premji & Company, and Anupam Timber Traders owned by Prabhudas Patel, Bhagwanji Tak, Dhirajlal Patel and Jayaben Jeevrajbhai Patel, respectively; were destroyed.
 
Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Uchake told ‘The Hitavada’ that the Control Room received a call at 6.27 am on Thursday about the incident. Firefighters rushed to the spot. As many as 13 fire tenders from nine fire stations, including the one in Lakadganj, were pressed into service. “Around 9.30 pm, our team succeeded in taking control of the situation and prevented fire from spreading in the adjoining saw mills and other structures,” he added.
 
Uchake informed that smouldering continued due to head stock of wood and collapsed tin sheds. The fire-fighting operation was being carried out under the supervision of Deputy CFO B P Chandankhede, Station Officers Mohan Guddhe (Lakadganj), Tushar Barahate ,Sunil Dokre, Kalamkar, Anil Gole and Sub Officer Shirkirwar.