PUNE: A fire broke out on Friday afternoon inside the chemistry laboratory of the main building of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) in Pune in Maharashtra.
A student from the IISER sustained minor burns.
While the building was evacuated immediately, a firemen sustained injuries while dousing the fire.
It took two hours for the Pune fire brigade to control the fire.
The Pune fire brigade chief Prashant Ranpise told TOI, "We received the call around 12.10pm. Immediately, a fire tender from Pashan fire station sent to the spot. Later, we sent more fire tenders."
The fire tenders from Pimpri Chinchwad fire brigade and HEMRL too were pressed into service.
Ranpise said that thick smoke was emanating due to chemicals inside the laboratory.
The firemen had tough time to douse the fire.
"We controlled the fire around 2.40pm. The reason behind the fire is yet to be ascertained," Ranpise said.
An official from thr IISER said, "A student sustained minor injury on his hands and has been attended to with first-aid."
He said, "The extent of damage to research labs is being assessed. The institute shall appoint a committee to investigate the incident."
