One dead, nine injured in mysterious blast in a food eatery at Middle bazar near Mall Road

In a massive blast occurred in a food eatery jolted the entire Mall road and damaged five to six nearby shops, residences. Unconfirmed reports indicate one dead, nine injured people that left the peaceful Shimla town in panic this evening.

Police chief of Shimla district Sanjay Gandhi was on the spot. He said that rescue operation is being done and cause of mishap could not confirmed. The administration did not confirm the death causality however victims include a passerby reported to be a local of Shimla. The deceased has been identified as owner of new Plaza restaurants identified Avnish Sood.

The police sources said that entire area was cordoned off and team of FSL, Police and Administration is conducting the rescue operation. The incident occurred in Himachali Rasoi food eatery, in the basement floor of the Madame showroom on Mall road. Due to blast a ration shop and two jewelery shops and a show room were damaged. The impact of the blast was so high that a hole was noted in a shop located on the Mall road above. Also furniture and goods kept in the  food eatery and nearby shops could be seen spread in front of the Shiv Mandir street road.

The police is probing the cause of blast and preliminary information states that it may be due to AC compresser used for refrigeration.

More reports are awaited.