KOLHAPUR: Eight people died early Sunday when a fire swept through a textile factory in Maharashtra’s Solapur district. Among the dead were 1.5-year-old child Yusuf Mansuri and his 87-year-old grandfather

Usman Mansuri

, owner and founder of the factory that produced bath and hand towels.The blaze broke out between 3.30am and 4am at

Central Textile Company

in

Akkalkot Road MIDC

, likely triggered by an electrical short circuit. Victims included four members of the factory owner’s family and four from a worker’s family who lived at the site.Rescue efforts were hampered by a religious structure erected near the main entrance by the owner’s family. Firefighters accessed the building using ladders and breached a 20-foot back wall to enter. Three people were pulled out alive, but thick smoke and flames stalled further rescues. Three firefighters, including the chief fire officer, suffered burns on their palms and faces. They continued efforts through the morning and afternoon. Around 8am, bodies of Mehtab Bagwan (51), Hina Bagwan (35), and Salman Bagwan (18) were found. By 3pm, remains of Usman, Anas Mansuri (24), Shika Mansuri (24), Yusuf, and Ayesha Bagwan (45) were also found. While the Mansuris were related to the owner, the Bagwans were from the worker’s family. A distant relative identified the Mansuri family’s remains. No immediate family members survived.SDO Sadashiv Paddune said the factory spanned roughly 10,000 to 12,000 sqft. Residents reported hearing a loud sound before flames erupted. The fire raged for six to seven hours, with recovery efforts lasting over 12 hours. Property losses, including machinery and raw material, are estimated at Rs 1 crore.