Mumbai: Diwali fire claims cricket pitches at Wilson Gymkhana

18 November,2015 06:51 AM IST |   |  Apoorva Puranik

Not only was the heritage Wilson College Gymkhana partially charred in the recent fire, the recently revamped grounds were also ruined, leading to the cancellation of a commemorative cricket match

Wilson Gymkhana


The heritage structure of Wilson College Gymkhana was not the only thing that was damaged in the blaze on Diwali night. It was only later that it was discovered that the newly refurbished grounds had also been ruined.

Also Read: Watch Video: Fire breaks out at Wilson College Gymkhana in Mumbai


The fire gutted the top floor and roof of the heritage gymkhana building, but in the process of dousing the fire,

Later this month, a cricket match was to be held to commemorate the opening of the new cricket pitches, but even this had to be cancelled due to the damage.

When mid-day visited the gymkhana, it was immediately evident that the fire had gutted the top floor and roof of the beautiful heritage building, but the two-hour operation to douse the fire had also left mounds of ash and deep tyre tracks on the ground.


The newly refurbished ground was also ruined. Pics/Bipin Kokate

Nadeem Memon, the ground's curator said, "Since July, we were working to make cricket pitches on the ground and level the outfield. The fire ruined all that work. Seven practice cricket pitches too have been ruined."

Read Story: Let's restore heritage to its former glory

Not only did the commemorative cricket match have to be cancelled, but structural damage to the gymkhana building forced Wilson College to change the venue for annual sports day - to be held in December - to the university ground in Churchgate.

Wilson College Registrar Pradeep Abhyankar said a report on the damage to the building and ground will be sent to the BMC.

"Restoration will begin in some time. The Gymkhana is a part of the Wilsonian legacy and will always be," said Wilson College principal, Vishwas Sirwaiaya.

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