Around 10,000 quintals of cotton burn in fire at Karanja ginning unit in Washim

A major fire broke out around noon on Wednesday in heaps of cotton stored at the ginning unit of Laxmi Zintex Private Limited near Meha Phata on Dhanaj Road in Karanja taluka of Washim district. According to available information, about 10,000 quintals of cotton were reduced to ashes.

The blaze was so fierce that there was a fear that the large quantity of cotton stored at the ginning unit would be engulfed. Firefighters of the Karanja fire brigade worked continuously despite a technical problem and brought the fire under control.

Shyam Savai, a social worker from Dhanaj Budruk who works across communities, informed Karanja fire brigade fireman Shubham Jhopate of the incident. The fire engine left for the spot immediately after receiving the information. On the way along Dhanaj Road, however, the nuts and bolts of the vehicle's joint broke and it developed a technical fault. The problem, which came at the height of the emergency, threatened to hamper the firefighting effort.

The firefighters did not give up. They called a smaller fire engine and a mechanic from Karanja to the spot. After the vehicle was given the necessary repairs, firefighting resumed. The firefighters then reached the site and gave their all to bring the fire under control, and their presence of mind helped them succeed.

Fire officer Vivek Makode, drivers Bharat Jondhale, Chandu Kharade and Zahid Ali, and firemen Imran Khan, Rahul Gulhane and Sanjay Dhuvare took part in the operation. The firefighters were praised for the courage and spirit of service they showed in the face of the blaze in the ginning unit's cotton and the fault in the fire engine. Their work is being appreciated from all quarters.