Shimla, May 2
A fire broke out in a food and beverage shop near a gurdwara in the Chhota Shimla area of Himachal Pradesh’s capital, Shimla, on Saturday, triggering panic in the locality. The incident caused alarm among residents and shopkeepers in the vicinity.
The fire quickly engulfed the shop, leading to chaos in the area. Fire brigade and police teams rushed to the spot immediately after receiving information and launched a firefighting operation. After sustained efforts, the blaze was brought under control. Local residents also assisted by providing water and other support, helping speed up the response.
The area is considered administratively sensitive, with a police station and the state secretariat located nearby. A busy market with several commercial establishments and residential buildings is also situated in close proximity, raising concerns over the potential spread of the fire.
However, timely intervention by emergency teams prevented a larger disaster.
The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. Preliminary suspicion points towards a possible short circuit, though officials have not confirmed this. Damage assessment is underway.
