Maharashtra’s 
was shaken by a tragedy in the wee hours of the morning. A major fire broke out at an ammunition depot in Pulgaon of Wardha District, and about 20 people succumbed to death and about 19 have been gravely injured in the blaze.
The major fire at Pulgaon in Maharashtra took everyone unawares as it broke out at about 1.30-2.00 A.M. in the morning, in the recesses of the darkness. The Central Ammunition Depot at Pulgaon is situated about 110 kms away from Nagpur in Pulgaon and in the early hours of the morning a huge fire broke out in its main shed and the area blazed crazily.
Defense sources have revealed that two officers and 15 Defence Security Corps (DSC) jawans are among those killed in the fire.”
According to the defense officials “one shed at the ammunition depot caught fire”. The DSC jawans managed to douse out the main fire but the officials are apprehensive about the secondary fires and explosions that are a possibility at the ammunition depot. No one can enter the premises of the depot and the area has been totally cordoned off.
The Pulgaon Central Ammunition Depot is one of the country’s largest and has recently been awarded for utilizing solar energy for getting rid of expired ammunition. Reports say, Manohar Parrikar, the Defense Minister , will be visiting the site of Central Ammunition Depot soon.
Shailesh Naval, the Wardha Collector , “Though a small fire is still on, there is apparently no further damage expected. Five villages around CAD, placed in the close vicinity, were evacuated immediately but as soon as the danger subsided, the villagers were restored back to their respective places.”
The injured DSC Jawans have been admitted for treatment to the hospital. Reports also state this ammunition deport caters to almost the whole of the western army sector, and“CAD Pulgaon stores ammunition required for a huge range of arms from BrahMos missile to AK-47.”Special Investigation team is already probing the matter.
