Makar Sankranti Joy Turns to Grief in Himachal Village Fire
A festive Makar Sankranti celebration turned into a nightmare in Himachal Pradesh's Sirmaur district. In the early hours of Thursday, a fierce fire destroyed an old wooden house in Talagna village. The blaze claimed the lives of six family members, including three young children. Only one person survived this horrific incident.
Family Gathering Ends in Tragedy
The victims were guests at Mohan Singh's house in Talagna village, located approximately 120 kilometers from Shimla. They were all asleep when the fire erupted around 2:30 AM. Neighbors heard the commotion and immediately alerted the fire department. They also launched their own rescue efforts.
Rescuers managed to pull 42-year-old Lokender from the burning building. Sadly, they could not reach the others in time. Lokender sustained severe facial burns during the ordeal.
Identifying the Victims
The deceased included two sisters who had visited their parents for the festival. Tripta, aged 44, and Kavita, aged 36, perished in the flames. Tripta's husband Naresh, who was 50 years old, also died. The children lost were 13-year-old twins Kritika and Sarika, along with three-year-old Kritik.
Naresh and Tripta originally hailed from Taproli in Rajgarh tehsil. The other family members came from Khumra village in Chaupal tehsil of Shimla district.
Response and Investigation
Local residents reported hearing what sounded like an LPG cylinder explosion. This blast may have intensified the fire. Police have registered a formal case and initiated a detailed investigation. The exact cause remains undetermined at this time.
Sirmaur Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Verma visited the tragic site. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed his deep condolences to the grieving family. He instructed the Sirmaur administration to conduct a thorough probe. The Chief Minister also directed officials to provide all necessary assistance to the victims' relatives.
Political Figures Offer Condolences
Local MLA and State Congress President Vinay Kumar cut short his Delhi trip to visit Talagna village. He urged all residents to exercise extreme caution with heating sources during winter. Kumar specifically advised people to ensure braziers are fully extinguished and gas cylinders are properly shut off before sleeping.
Former Chief Minister and Opposition Leader Jai Ram Thakur offered his sympathies. State BJP President Dr. Rajeev Bindal also conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families.
Survivor's Condition and Recent Context
Lokender, the sole survivor, is currently receiving treatment at Solan Regional Hospital. Doctors have successfully stabilized his condition after he suffered those severe burns.
This heartbreaking event follows another deadly fire just three days earlier. That blaze in Solan's Arki market claimed ten lives, marking a tragic period for the region.
