The fire tore through a building currently being constructed to increase the production of COVID-19 vaccines and to ensure the company is better prepared for future pandemics.

The company said the blaze would not affect its production of the COVID-19 vaccine.

It has been contracted to manufacture a billion doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.

Murlidhar Mohol, mayor of the city of Pune, said five bodies were found in the rubble after the flames were extinguished by firefighters.

Mr Mohol said the victims were probably construction workers.

He said the cause of the fire had not been determined and the extent of damage was not immediately clear.

Serum Institute of India's CEO, Adar Poonawalla, said he was "deeply saddened" by the loss of life.

He said there would be no reduction in vaccine manufacturing because the company had other available facilities.

The company said the fire did not affect existing facilities making COVID-19 vaccines nor a stockpile of around 50 million doses.