275-year-old wada destroyed in fire

The historic Sardar Raste Wada in Mehunpura,Shaniwar Peth,constructed during the Peshwa era,was destroyed in a fire that broke out due to a short circuit on Thursday afternoon.

The 275-year-old wada is located opposite Prabhat theatre near Appa Balwant Chowk. However,no casualties were reported. A major tragedy was averted as the fire brigade team comprising nine fire tenders and four water tankers reached the spot in time and shifted nine domestic LPG cyclinders from the wada to a safer place.

However,a major damage was caused to the two-storey wada. The antique wooden furniture and other objects in the wada were destroyed. Vijay Palishikar,who bought the wada in 1974,had started the Aashirwad Mangal Karyalay,(a ceremonial hall) at the ground floor.

Story continues below this ad

On Thursday morning,40 persons had gathered at the hall for a function. Around 12.30 pm,while the function was on,somebody noticed a fire in the room where the electricity meter was fitted. Soon,Palshikar called the fire brigade. The fire brigade team led by assistant divisional officer Dattatray Nagalkar,fire Station officer Sunil Gilbile,and Vijay Bhilare,brought the situation under control by 1.15 pm.

There were 14 families (tenants) staying on the second floor of the wada. Homes of six families were gutted. Mahendra Bakre and Vijay Jagtap of the Vishrambaug police station rescued an elderly person trapped in a room.

Chief fire officer Prashant Ranpise said fire spread fast due to the wooden furniture in the wada. One LPG cylinder burst and three started leaking before the fire brigade reached the spot. The road between Appa Balwant chowk and Dakshin Mukhi Maruti Mandir was closed leading to a traffic snarl for sometime.

The wada was constructed by Madhavrao Peshwe (I). Peshwe later handed it over to his brother-in-law Sardar Raste.

Click here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories