On the early morning of May 18, 2025, a catastrophic fire tore through Central Textile Mills in Solapur, Maharashtra, claiming the lives of eight people, including factory owner Haji Usman Hasanbhai Mansuri and his one-and-a-half-year-old grandson. For the tight-knit community of Solapur MIDC, located 400 km from Mumbai, the tragedy has left a void—families are grieving, and questions about industrial safety are mounting. Triggered by a short circuit at 3:45 a.m., the blaze engulfed the factory in minutes, trapping workers and the owner’s family inside. As investigations begin, this heartbreaking incident underscores the urgent need for stricter safety measures in India’s industrial hubs.
A Deadly Blaze Erupts
The fire broke out at Central Textile Mills on Akkalkot Road in Solapur MIDC, a bustling industrial area known for its textile units. Initial reports indicate that a short circuit sparked the flames around 3:45 a.m., rapidly spreading through the factory’s flammable materials. Among the deceased were factory owner Haji Usman Hasanbhai Mansuri (80), his grandson Anas Hanif Mansuri (25), Anas’s wife Shifa (20), their toddler son Yusuf, and four workers, including Mehtab Sayyad Bagwan (45), his wife Ashabanu (38), their son Salman (20), and daughter Hina (26). Three of the victims were women, and the toddler’s death has particularly shaken the community.
The intensity of the fire made rescue operations challenging. Fire Officer Rakesh Salunke reported that it took 17 hours to fully control the blaze, with flames re-igniting during cooling operations. Over 100 water tankers and 11 fire engines from Solapur Municipal Corporation, Pandharpur, Akkalkot, MIDC, and NTPC were deployed. Despite their efforts, five victims suffocated due to smoke inhalation, while three others succumbed to severe burns.
Solapur Factory Fire Tragedy
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Incident Date | May 18, 2025 |
| Location | Central Textile Mills, Solapur MIDC, Maharashtra |
| Cause of Fire | Short circuit at 3:45 a.m. |
| Total Deaths | 8 people (including factory owner and a toddler) |
| Prominent Victims | Haji Usman Hasanbhai Mansuri (80), grandson Yusuf (1.5 yrs), 3 women |
| Firefighting Efforts | 17 hours, 11 fire engines, 100+ water tankers |
| Major Challenge | Victims trapped while sleeping; factory had flammable materials |
| Compensation Announced | Rs 2 lakh (PMNRF), Rs 5 lakh (Maharashtra CM), Rs 50,000 for injured |
| Rescue Difficulty | Thick smoke, no sprinklers or alarms; victims tried hiding in bathroom |
| Regulatory Concern | No recent fire safety audit; outdated wiring suspected |
| Government Response | Statewide fire safety review ordered; investigation ongoing |
| Community Impact | Grief, anger over delayed response and poor fire safety compliance |
A Family and Workers Trapped
The fire caught the victims off guard as they slept. Haji Usman and his family, living on the factory premises, attempted to take refuge in a bathroom on an upper floor, but the thick smoke and heat proved fatal. The four workers, also residing within the factory, were unable to escape as the fire spread rapidly. “They rushed to a bedroom to save themselves but got trapped,” an official stated, noting that the victims were declared dead on arrival at a state-run hospital. The tragedy highlights the risks of residential setups within industrial units, a common practice in smaller factories.
Official Response and Financial Aid
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the incident, announcing an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. “Pained by the loss of lives due to a fire tragedy in Solapur, Maharashtra. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones,” the PMO posted on X. President Droupadi Murmu also shared her condolences, praying for the swift recovery of the injured. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced an additional ₹5 lakh for the families of the deceased, emphasizing the state’s commitment to support the bereaved.
Community Outcry and Safety Concerns
The Solapur community is reeling from the loss, with many pointing to systemic safety failures. Survivors and relatives alleged that the fire brigade response was delayed and lacked modern equipment, exacerbating the tragedy. On X, locals expressed frustration, with one user posting, “How many more lives will we lose to negligence? Factories need better safety audits!” This incident follows a similar fire in Hyderabad on the same day, where 17 people, including eight children, died near Charminar, raising broader concerns about fire safety in India.
A 2024 report by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) noted that industrial fires claimed over 1,200 lives in India last year, with short circuits being the leading cause. Experts argue that many small factories, like Central Textile Mills, lack mandatory fire safety systems, such as sprinklers and smoke alarms, due to lax enforcement of regulations.
Investigation Underway
The Solapur police have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the short circuit and assess compliance with safety norms. Preliminary findings suggest that outdated electrical wiring may have contributed to the blaze. The factory, operational for over 30 years, had not undergone a recent safety audit, according to local officials. The Maharashtra government has ordered a statewide review of industrial units, with a focus on fire safety and worker accommodations, to prevent future tragedies.
(India CSR)
