Man burnt alive as fire breaks out in Shimla dhaba

Tribune News Service

Shimla, October 17

One person was charred to death and property worth lakhs of rupees was destroyed when a fire broke out in a local dhaba, “Tara Bhojanalya”, near the office of the Accountant General (AG) Chowk in the city late this evening.

The fire was reportedly caused by bursting of LPG cylinders which led to serial blast with deafening noise and people ran for safety. One of the cylinders was leaking and caught fire and later three more cylinders blasted in quick succession.

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The fire brigade received a call at 8:30 pm following which two fire tenders were rushed to the spot from the Mall Road and one each from Boeliuganj and Chhota Shimla. One employee of the dhaba who could not escape was reportedly trapped and burnt alive, police sources said.

A major tragedy was averted after the fire brigade stopped the fire from spreading to adjoining areas as the dhaba is adjacent to Bawa market. A large number of people gathered at the site and gloom descended on Bawa market dampening the festival spirit.