A major fire gutted an auditorium built over 100 years ago during Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj's rule in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde ordered an inquiry into the incident on Friday. The Keshavrao Bhosale Natyagruha, representing Kolhapur's cultural heritage, caught fire on Thursday night, according to district officials. 

Built in 1915 under the initiative of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, who ruled Kolhapur from 1884 to 1922 and was known for his social reforms, the auditorium was named after the late singer-actor Keshavrao Bhosale. It was situated in the Khasbag area of the city and managed by the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC).

"The fire started around 9:45 pm on Thursday. Fire tenders and water tankers were dispatched to the site, and the blaze was brought under control by 11:30 pm," a fire brigade official reported. District authorities suspect a short circuit caused the fire.

Hasan Mushrif, Kolhapur's guardian minister, visited the site and announced an inquiry into the blaze. He expressed sorrow over the loss, noting that Shahu Maharaj, after returning from Rome, built the auditorium in 1915 to support local theatre artists. The auditorium had been renovated recently with a Rs 10 crore grant from the state government.

"We will restore Kolhapur's lost glory and secure funds for the restoration," Mushrif said, emphasizing the strong bond between Kolhapur residents and the auditorium. 

In Thane district, CM Shinde called the incident "unfortunate" and confirmed the inquiry order. He assured that the government would prioritize building a new auditorium at the same location.