Fire breaks out near ex-CM Virbhadra’s residence in Shimla

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, May 6

A major fire broke out in huts adjacent to Holly Lodge, the private residence of former chief minister Virbhadra Singh, in the upper Jakhu area, on Wednesday evening.

A 30-year-old woman sustained burn injuries and was rushed to IGMC Shimla, DC Amit Kashyap said, adding that eight persons were living in the three huts.

Flames leapt high in the sky and were seen from different parts of the town.

Four fire tenders were rushed to the spot and the fire is yet to be brought under control.

Sources said there was some quarrel between a Nepali couple sheltered in the hut. The fire broke out as the man allegedly tried to set his wife on fire. She received serious burn injuries and was rushed to the hospital.

Fire-fighting operations to douse the blaze were on till the filing of this report. A local, Dhruv, claimed that the first call was made to the fire station at 7.30 pm and the fire tenders came immediately but there was no water in the hydrants and the required number of pipes was not available, which delayed the operations.

The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. Fire-fighting operations were on in full swing to stop the spread to adjoining areas as Rothney castle — known as Shishe Wali Kothi — is just above the spot.

The fire spread as three LPG cylinders exploded but rain came as relief and helped control the blaze to some extent.