TIMBER, machines and other property worth lakhs of rupees were reduced to ashes in the devastating fire that broke out in sawmills behind Lakadganj Police Station of Wednesday morning. Two employees of Fire & Emergency Services Department of Nagpur Municipal Corporation ( NMC) -- Raju Admane and Praveen Zade -- fell unconscious during the firefighting operation. They were rushed to New Era Hospital.

 

Their condition was stable, Fire Brigade sources said. Control Room Officer of Fire & Emergency Services Department of NMC received the first call around 8.05 am about the fire at the sawmills. A team of firefighters, led by Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Rajendra Uchake rushed to the spot. Before the team reached the spot fire engulfed the adjoining sawmills including Ashwin timber mart owned by Ashok Dhoble, Apna goods garage, Parmatma Ek Furniture owned by Nanaji Khedikar. As many as 10 fire tenders from different fire stations across the city were pressed into service.

 

During the firefighting operation which lasted more than three hours, the two employees Admane and Zade sustained injuries and fell unconscious due to suffocation. They were immediately taken to New Era Hospital. After combating with the inferno, the firefighters brought the fire under control and prevented it from spreading in adjoining structures. However, the exact caused behind the fire was yet to be ascertained.