Fire breaks out at Serum Institute's under-construction facility in Pune

Over nine fire tenders are trying to douse the fire which broke out at SII's Manjari complex, said sources. 

No death or major injury has been reported yet though a few floors have been destroyed, said SII CEO Adar Poonawalla.

He tweeted, "Thank you everyone for your concern and prayers. So far the most important thing is that there have been no lives lost or major injuries due to the fire, despite a few floors being destroyed."

In a good news, the fire is not expected to hit the production of India's first vaccine against Covid-19, Covishield, which the SII produced in the country in a partnership with Oxford University and British-Swedish pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca.

The Manjari complex is just a few minutes away from the site where Covishield is produced.

Chief fire officer, PMC, Prashant Ranpise, said as per sources, "There were four people inside the building. We have recued three persons so far although large smoke is hampering the work of bringing the fire in control.

"The fire has so far spread to three floors including 3rd, 4th and 5th. We have sent 10 vehicles so far.”

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has already inquired about the incident and "has directed the state machinery to coordinate and ensure that the situation is under control," said his office.