A devastating late-night fire tore through the Arki market in Himachal Pradesh's Solan district, claiming the life of a young girl and leaving several individuals, primarily migrant labourers, feared trapped under the rubble. The tragic incident has sent shockwaves through the local community and prompted urgent rescue efforts.
Blaze Erupts in Dead of Night, Spreads Rapidly
The catastrophe began in the early hours of Monday, around 2:15 am, when flames erupted in a residential building located in the bustling market area. The fire displayed a terrifying ferocity, swiftly jumping to adjacent shops and nearby structures. Local inhabitants reported hearing multiple explosions, suspected to be from LPG cylinders, which acted as a catalyst, dramatically intensifying the inferno and leading to widespread destruction.
Child Victim and Missing Persons
The fire has already claimed one innocent life. The victim has been identified as an 8-year-old girl from a migrant labour family originally from Bihar. The situation remains grave as fears mount for at least eight other people who are suspected to be trapped inside the damaged building. Among those unaccounted for are families of migrant labourers hailing from Nepal, who were residing in the old structure. Their current whereabouts are unknown, adding to the anxiety of the ongoing operation.
Administration and Rescue Response
Congress MLA from Arki, Sanjay Awasthy, visited the ravaged site on Monday morning to take stock of the situation. He confirmed the extensive damage, noting that between 10 to 15 shops and houses have been severely affected, suffering heavy losses. While praising the prompt response of the local administration and fire department in bringing the flames under control, the MLA expressed deep concern for those possibly still inside.
"The exact cause is under investigation, but the damage is extensive," Awasthy stated. He further confirmed that the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has been alerted and is expected to bolster the rescue mission shortly. Assuring full support, the MLA added, "We hope the casualty count does not rise. The government will extend complete assistance to all affected families."
The community now waits with bated breath as rescue teams work against time to locate survivors amidst the charred remains of Arki market.
