Pune: A minor fire broke out at the Kesnand village, the venue for the Sunburn Festival, located 35 km. from the city. However, no serious damage to property or casualties was reported in the incident. The fire broke out after the popular four-day electronic dance and music festival concluded on December 31, while the stage and sets for the festival were being dismantled, officials said, causing some damaging.
According to organisers, the fire was limited to one location only and no damage to any public or private property was reported. Its cause was yet to be ascertained.
“At the time when the incident was reported, there were no casualties of any kind,” Karan Singh, CEO, Sunburn, said. According to Mr. Singh, the dismantling work at the venue commenced only after confirming that it was safe to do so. “We have been successful in ensuring a safe and secure Sunburn 10 at our new venue,” he added. The 10th edition was shifted to Pune after the Goa government banned the event.
The event faced stiff opposition from a number of right-wing groups including the Sanatan Sanstha and local villagers, who alleged that the festival spurred a number of ‘illicit activities’. Soon after the event ended, the organisers were reportedly slapped with a fine of Rs. 1.02 crore for illegally leveling a hillock and defaulting on stamp duty payment. Percept Limited, which organises the fest, denied the allegations.
Meanwhile, residents of the villages of Kesnand and Tulapur registered separate complaints against the organisers for causing noise pollution.
