Crackers misfired, Pune shop set ablaze

A major fire broke out at a shop selling spices in Nanekar Chawl in Pimpri on Monday morning, when children were bursting firecrackers nearby. No casualties were reported.

According to fire brigade officials of the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), the incident happened at Garg Provision Store at 8:30am. The fire started when a cracker flew and landed on a sack of dry chillies.

There were three chilli sacks and other spices, together valued at Rs83,000 in the shop, which was gutted in the blaze. The fire was brought under control by the fire brigade.

However, the acrid smoke generated by the fire continued to irritate residents and commuters till the afternoon. Many commuters were coughing and sneezing while passing on the Pimpri stretch.