Major Fire Breaks Out Near UCO Bank Building In Himachal's Arki, 1 Child Dead, 9 Feared Trapped

Solan: A major fire broke out near the UCO Bank building at the old bus stand in Arki town of Himachal Pradesh's Solan district during the early morning hours on Sunday, triggering panic in the area.

One child, around eight years old, lost his life in the incident. Several people are suspected to be trapped inside the affected premises.

The local police and fire brigade teams immediately rushed to the spot and rescue operations are underway, Superintendent of Police of Solan district, Gaurav Singh said, adding that teams of NDRF and SDRF have also been called in to assist in the rescue efforts.

Local authorities reportedly said that the fire erupted around 2-2:30 am and engulfed several shops and adjoining buildings. 

Speaking to ANI, Arki's Tehsildar and local revenue officer Vipin Kumar said, "We received information about the incident around 2:30-3 am. Nearly 10-15 shops were gutted in the fire. We immediately deployed SDRF, Home Guards and fire services during the night itself. One child was rescued but later succumbed in the hospital."

"Nine people are still trapped; all are Nepali-origin migrant labourers. The fire tenders from Baluganj, Shimla, were rushed in as the nearest support, since Arki does not have a fully equipped fire tender unit. Fire tenders from Ambuja Cement Factory also reached the spot and provided major assistance," he said.

"The fire was brought under control, but two to three buildings have suffered damage. The affected structures were mostly wooden storage buildings, which caused the fire to spread rapidly. Around 11-12 shops were affected. SDRF teams were deployed, and JCB machines were brought in as the fire continued for a long time. Debris is being cleared, and assessment of human and material loss is underway. Relief and rescue operations are ongoing, and we will share full details once available," Kumar added.

RK Sharma, local fire officer, told ANI, "Water was sprayed using around 10 vehicles, and nearly six fire tenders were deployed. By 6:30 am, the fire was brought under control. Nine people of Nepali origin are reported missing."

"Among the nine trapped persons, there are five children and four adults. There are two couples. Considering the extent of the building collapse and intensity of the fire, the chances of survival appear low," he added.

Mohan Lal, a Nepali migrant labourer and relative of the stranded people, told ANI, "We have suffered huge losses. My elder brother's family of four-husband, wife and two children is missing. Another five people from my nephew's family, including a couple and three children, are also missing."

"I was not inside the room at that time. A neighbour called me and informed me about the fire. When we reached here, it was already around 2:15 am, and the fire had spread. We are being told that gas cylinders may have exploded. We searched among relatives and nearby places, but there is no information," he said.

Bhola Kumar, another relative of migrant labourers from Bihar, told ANI, "Four of our family members were initially rescued: husband, wife and two children. One small boy was taken out, but he went back to sleep. When I took him to the hospital, he was declared dead. He was around six years old."

Gas Leak Fire In Andhra

Earlier on January 5, a massive gas leak took place in the Irusamanda village in Andhra Pradesh’s Dr. BR Ambedkar Konaseema district in a local ONGC drill site. During drilling operations by Deep Industries, a high-pressure blowout occurred, sending crude oil and a thick, fog-like gas into the air. 

Although ONGC had previously decommissioned the pipeline due to technical failures, Deep Industries has since assumed responsibility for the repairs. (With ANI inputs)

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