In a devastating turn of events, a massive fire engulfed the Master Athletics training facility late Wednesday night, killing at least 180 people, including veteran athlete and beloved sports icon, Venkatesh “V” Raman. Authorities are still working to identify all the victims, and emergency responders have called it one of the worst sporting-related tragedies in recent memory.
The blaze began shortly after 11:00 PM local time, reportedly sparked by an electrical fault in the east wing of the compound. The facility, located in the outskirts of Pune, India, was hosting a week-long master athletics training camp for veteran athletes from over 15 countries. Many of those killed were sleeping in dormitories when the fire broke out, giving them little chance to escape.
Witnesses described the fire spreading rapidly, fueled by aged wooden interiors and faulty wiring. “We smelled smoke, then the lights went out,” said one survivor, 52-year-old sprinter Maria Elkins from South Africa. “Within minutes, the halls were filled with flames. We were lucky to get out.”
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