Diwali night celebrations in Himachal Pradesh turned tragic as multiple fire incidents swept through various districts, destroying properties worth crores of rupees and leaving numerous families in distress.
Widespread Destruction Across Multiple Districts
Fire services across the state were stretched to their limits as they responded to emergency calls from Shimla, Solan, Kangra, and other districts. The festive night of lights quickly transformed into a nightmare for many residents as flames consumed residential and commercial properties.
Shimla District Suffers Major Losses
In the state capital, a massive fire broke out in Krishna Nagar area, completely destroying six shops and causing extensive damage to several vehicles. The intensity of the blaze was such that it took firefighters several hours to bring the situation under control.
Solan Incident Claims Commercial Properties
The industrial town of Solan witnessed one of the most devastating incidents where a godown and multiple shops were reduced to ashes. Preliminary estimates suggest the loss runs into crores, with business owners staring at complete ruin.
Kangra's Residential Tragedy
In Kangra district, a residential house was completely gutted in a fire incident that broke out during late night celebrations. The family lost all their belongings and has been left with nothing but the clothes they were wearing.
Fire Services Overwhelmed
Fire department officials reported receiving multiple emergency calls simultaneously across different regions. The simultaneous outbreaks stretched resources thin, with fire tenders having to prioritize the most critical situations.
"Our teams worked tirelessly through the night," stated a senior fire officer. "The challenging terrain and narrow access roads in some areas made firefighting operations particularly difficult."
Safety Concerns Raised
The incidents have raised serious questions about fire safety measures during festival seasons. Authorities are investigating whether the fires were caused by electrical short circuits, careless handling of fireworks, or other factors.
Local administration has announced that damage assessment teams are visiting the affected sites to document losses and provide necessary assistance to the victims.
