Wardha/Nagpur, May 31 : Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today said 16 people, including two Army personnel, were killed and 19 others sustained burn injuries in a fire that broke out at the Central Ammunition Depot at Pulgaon in Wardha district of Maharashtra.
After visiting the injured in the hospitals, Mr Parrikar disclosed the exact number of casualties in the inferno.
He told reporters here that 16 people — including two Army officers, one cop and 13 fire fighters — lost their lives while trying to douse the blaze.
Appreciating the efforts of the Army personnel and fire fighters as well as the policemen, the Minister said those engaged in the mission did a commendable job by not letting the fire spread and controlled it.
In due course, they even sacrificed their lives, he informed.
Mr Parrikar reviewed the situation and the treatment being provided to those admitted in the hospital and instructed the concerned authorities to provide best medical aid to the injured.
He ruled out any sabotage theory being projected for the major fire in the CAD.
Replying to the queries, the Minister said the exact reason of the fire and dimension of the damage would be known after completion of the inquiry being conducted by the Army.
Apart from ordering a probe, he also directed for keeping a hawk’s eye in the area where the situation was under control.
