Solan: A massive fire broke out late night in Arki Bazaar of Solan district, claiming the life of a seven-year-old child and leaving eight to nine people feared trapped under the debris.
So far three bodies have been retrieved from the debris, while other six are feared to be buried in the debris.
According to initial reports, the blaze engulfed the house of a Bihar-origin family.
Fire officials said the family allegedly brought a burning brazier (angithi) inside their home to keep warm, which may have triggered the fire.
The situation worsened after six to seven LPG cylinders reportedly exploded, turning the incident into a major inferno.
Rescue and firefighting teams rushed to the spot and are carrying out search operations amid the rubble.
Arki MLA Sanjay Awasthi said local administration and police are monitoring the situation closely. NDRF team is on job as some Nepali laborers are feared trapped in the debris. Over 10 to 15 shops were destroyed in the fire, he added.
The exact cause of the fire will be confirmed after a detailed investigation.
