Major fire breaks out in Serum Institute plant in Pune, no reports of casualties

PUNE: A major fire engulfed one of the buildings situated within the Serum Institute of India (SII)'s plant here on Thursday afternoon, officials said. There are no immediate reports of casualties.

Thick clouds of smoke could be seen billowing out of one of the buildings in the SII complex at Gopalpatti, though company officials remained tight-lipped on the development.

At least 10 fire-tenders from Pune Fire Brigade rushed to the site and were battling the blaze, the cause of which is not clear.

When contacted, a SII official refused to comment whether the fire had affected the production of the Covid-19 vaccine at the plant.

The Serum Institute of India, which prides itself as "the world's largest vaccine maker", is spread over 100 acres in Pune.

Manjari, the complex where the fire broke out, is a few minutes’ drive from the production facility, as per sources. It is believed to be a part of a Special Economic Zone.