After Arki, Sirmaur blaze kills Six as Winter fires raise alarm in Himachal
Photo used for indicative purpose only. Source: Internet
Nahan, Jan 15,
Six members of a family were burnt alive when a massive fire engulfed a residential house in Talagana village of Sirmaur district in the early hours of Thursday, plunging the area into shock and grief. The tragedy comes just days after a separate fire incident was reported from Arki in Solan district, drawing attention to the heightened risk of residential fires across Himachal Pradesh during the winter season.
The fire broke out around 2.30 am at the house of Mohan Singh, son of Ramdayal, located under the Ghanduri Patwar Circle of Nauhradhar tehsil. Officials said the occupants were asleep when the blaze erupted, allowing the flames to spread rapidly and leaving little opportunity for escape. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained and police have initiated an investigation.
The deceased were identified as Naresh, son of Durga Singh of Taprol in the Rajgarh area, his wife Tripta, Kavita, wife of Lokendra and resident of Khumra village in Chaupal subdivision, and their three children — Sarika, Kritika and Kritik. The family had reportedly come as guests to their maternal home in Talagana.
The intensity of the fire was such that the bodies were charred beyond recognition, making identification difficult. Lokendra (42), the only survivor, was rescued by villagers in a critical condition and shifted to Solan Hospital for treatment.
Police and revenue officials reached the spot soon after receiving information. A preliminary assessment prepared by the local Patwari confirmed extensive loss of life, while rescue and relief operations were carried out by the district administration. A case has been registered and further action will follow after post-mortem formalities and completion of the probe.
Though unrelated, the Sirmaur incident follows another serious fire reported earlier this week from Arki in Solan district, underscoring a troubling pattern of winter fire hazards in residential areas. Officials said cold weather conditions, increased use of heating appliances, traditional fireplaces and electrical overload significantly raise fire risks, particularly in rural and remote areas where emergency response time remains a challenge.
The tragedy has cast a pall of gloom over Sirmaur district, with locals expressing disbelief over the loss of six lives from the same family. Authorities said awareness and preventive measures would need to be strengthened to avert such incidents during the peak winter months.
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The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
