Eight people died in the fire incident in Solapur’s Central Industry on Sunday, May 18. Fire Officer Rakesh Salunke said it took 17 hours to control the fire. “Fire broke out at 3:30 am. Fire brigade personnel have also been injured in this rescue operation,” the fire officer told..

Among the eight dead, three were women and one child, officials said.

Prima facie, a short in the circuit triggered the blaze around 3:45 am at Central Textile Mills situated on the Akkalkot Road in Solapur MIDC, around 400 km from Mumbai.

The deceased individuals include the factory owner, identified as Haji Usman Hasanbhai Mansuri, three members of his family including his one-and-a-half-year old grandson, and four workers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to victims’ family. He has announced ₹2 lakh to victims’ family and ₹50,000 to those injured. “Pained by the loss of lives due to a fire tragedy in Solapur, Maharashtra. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. An ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given ₹50,000,” PM Modi said.