Five dead in a massive fire at vaccine-maker Serum Institute of India, Pune

A massive fire broke out in an under-constructed building in a complex of Serum Institute of India in Pune in the afternoon. Five people out of many who were trapped in the building died.

It took over three hours to extinguish the fire as many fire tenders were put into service. The reasons for breaking out the fire is not known.

Cyrus S. Poonawalla, Chairman & Managing Director, Serum Institute of India, released a statement that said, “Today is an extremely sorrowful day for all of us at Serum Institute of India. Regrettably, there were losses of lives in the fire that broke out in our under installation facility situated at the Special Economic Zone at Manjri.”

It added, “We are deeply saddened and offer our condolences to the families of the departed.”

The SII has offered a compensation of Rs 25 lakhs to each of the families, in addition to the mandated amount as per the norms.

“We would like to extend our gratitude to everyone for their concerns and prayers in these distressing times," the statement further said.

Both the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed their thoughts and prayers for those who lost their lives or injured.

“The loss of lives in a fire accident at the Serum Institute of India in Pune is distressing. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families. I wish speedy recovery of the injured,” President Kovind wrote.

PM Modi said, “Anguished by the loss of lives due to an unfortunate fire at the @SerumInstIndia. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives. I pray that those injured recover at the earliest.”