A tragic fire in Himachal Pradesh's Solan district has resulted in the death of an eight-year-old child, with at least seven people reported missing. The blaze erupted in the early hours of Monday, engulfing a house in the main market area near the Old Bus Stand in Arki.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The fire broke out around 2 am on Sunday night. Local authorities and rescue teams rushed to the site immediately after receiving the alert. Although firefighters managed to bring the flames under control, the aftermath revealed a grim scene. Solan Deputy Commissioner Man Mohan Sharma confirmed that the missing individuals are labourers, hailing from Nepal and Bihar, and they are believed to have been trapped inside the burning structure.
The young victim was pronounced dead at a government hospital. The gender of the child is yet to be officially ascertained. "Around seven to eight people, all natives of Nepal and Bihar, were stated to be missing. The victims were labourers and comprised two to three families," DC Sharma stated. He added that ex-gratia relief would be provided to the victims' kin once the rescue operation concludes.
Cause and Response
Preliminary information from Solan Superintendent of Police Gaurav Singh points to a possible cause. "Someone took a burning brazier (angithi) inside the house, which caused a fire," the SP said. Local residents also reported hearing explosions, suspected to be from gas cylinders. A forensic examination has been ordered to determine the exact sequence of events.
A team from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) is currently at the location, assisting in the search and rescue efforts to trace the missing persons. The administration's teams are also actively involved in the operation.
Political Reactions and Aftermath
The incident has drawn concern from political leaders across party lines. Arki Congress MLA Sanjay Awasthy visited the site on Monday morning. Himachal Pradesh Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, along with BJP state president Dr Rajeev Bindal, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy.
The fire has cast a pall over the Arki area, highlighting the precarious living conditions often faced by migrant labourer communities. The focus remains on the ongoing rescue efforts and providing support to the affected families.
