Among the dead were two army officers and 14 Jawan Defense Security Corps personnel. The explosion took place at the Army's Central Ammunition Depot (CAD) in Pulgaon. Seventeen others including nine army officers were injured in the blast.
Pained by loss of lives caused by a fire at central ammunition depot in Pulgaon, Maharashtra. My thoughts are with the bereaved families.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 31, 2016
According to Indian Army, the fire broke out around 1:00 AM in one of the sheds of the ammunition depot and spread rapidly to other areas. The fire has already been extinguished. Most of the casualties occurred during the extinguishing process.
The CAD at Pulgaon, spread over 10,000 hectares, is India's largest and Asia's second largest ammunition depot, housing a variety of arms and ammunition including the BrahMos missiles.
Earlier today, Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar and Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag visited the site.
The Indian Army ordered a Court of Inquiry to assess the cause of the fire, which has not yet been identified.
Fire has been completely doused.Situation has been brought under control:DGMO on fire at ammunition depot in Pulgaon https://t.co/ThepdXwBy7
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) May 31, 2016
Army has ordered an enquiry into the accident: Lt. Gen Ranbir Singh (DGMO) on fire at ammunition depot in Wardha (Maharashtra)
— ANI (@ANI_news) May 31, 2016