Daijiworld Media Network - Shimla
Shimla, Jan 15: A heart-rending fire tragedy struck Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur district in the early hours of Thursday, killing six members of a single family at their home in Talagna village, police officials confirmed on January 15.
The incident occurred around 2 am at the residence of Mohan Singh, when a sudden fire engulfed the house and spread rapidly, leaving those inside with almost no chance to escape. One family member managed to survive the inferno.
Those who lost their lives were identified as Naresh, his wife Tripta, a relative Kavita, and three children — Sarika, Kritika, and Kritik. Officials said the bodies were severely charred, making identification extremely difficult.
Lokender, Kavita’s husband, was the only survivor. He was pulled out by local villagers in a critical state and rushed to a hospital in Solan for treatment.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire may have been triggered by an electrical short circuit. An LPG cylinder reportedly exploded during the blaze, resulting in the complete destruction of the house. Several livestock were also killed in the incident.
This tragedy marks the second major fire disaster in Himachal Pradesh within a week. Earlier, a massive blaze in the old bus stand area of Arki town in Solan district claimed 10 lives. Authorities said some individuals from that incident are still unaccounted for, and DNA testing is being conducted to confirm victims’ identities.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) expressed deep sorrow over the Sirmaur incident. Party National president Jagat Prakash Nadda, state president Rajiv Bindal, Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur, MP Suresh Kashyap, former Union Minister Anurag Thakur, and former Chief Ministers Prem Kumar Dhumal and Shanta Kumar conveyed their condolences to the bereaved family.
In his message, BJP state president Rajiv Bindal described the incident as extremely painful, saying the loss of six family members had shaken the entire state. He prayed for peace for the departed souls, strength for the grieving family, and a speedy recovery for the injured survivor.
The BJP has also appealed to the district administration to provide immediate relief, adequate compensation, and comprehensive rehabilitation to the affected family, stating that the party stands firmly with them during this time of immense sorrow.