Massive Fire Ravages Arki Market in Himachal Pradesh, Claims Three Lives
A massive fire tore through the old bus stand area of Arki market in Solan district, Himachal Pradesh, in the early hours of Monday. The blaze claimed the lives of three people, including an eight-year-old boy named Priyansh from Bihar.
Fire Breaks Out in Wooden Building Housing Migrant Families
The fire erupted around 2:45 am in an old wooden residential building. This structure housed eight migrant families from Nepal and one family from Bihar. Eyewitnesses reported that the fire spread quickly to more than ten nearby shops and buildings. A series of LPG cylinder explosions fueled the rapid spread of the flames.
Rescue Operations Underway for Missing Persons
Solan SP Gaurav Singh confirmed that rescue teams retrieved three bodies by evening. Operations are ongoing to locate seven other individuals feared trapped under the debris. Most of the missing persons are Nepalese nationals from Salyan in Nepal's Karnali province. They were residing in the building owned by Rajeev Kumar.
Two people sustained injuries in the incident. They are currently receiving treatment at the civil hospital in Arki.
Firefighting and Disaster Response Efforts
Firefighting teams from Arki, Boileaugang in Shimla, Banalgi in Solan, and the Ambuja Cement Company battled the flames for several hours. The State Disaster Response Force later joined the efforts. They deployed excavators to clear the debris and aid in the search for survivors.
Authorities Mobilize Support and Investigation
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu directed Solan Deputy Commissioner Manmohan Sharma to investigate the cause of the fire. He also instructed officials to provide immediate assistance to the injured and the families of the deceased.
The Arki SDM office has extended financial aid of Rs 25,000 to the victims' families. The district administration, in coordination with the Red Cross Society, distributed essential items to the displaced families. These items included blankets, tarpaulins, utensils, and warm clothing.
Earlier in the day, Arki MLA Sanjay Awasthi visited the site to oversee the rescue operations.
