CHAMBA / Five shops burnt to ashes in Dalhousie's Gandhi Chowk, estimated loss of lakhs of rupees

Five shops in Gandhi Chowk, the main market of Mall Road of Dalhousie tourist spot, were burnt to death on Sunday night. Inderveer Singh, son of Mahindra Singh, resident of Sadar Bazar, Meenu Chauhan, son of Iqbal Singh, resident of Lohali, Vinay Mahajan, son of Devraj, resident of Jandrighat, Ashwani Kumar, son of Trilok resident of Sadar Bazar and Himachal Khadi Mandal's shop got burnt. These shops belong to Raman Talwar son of Chaman Lal. They have given these on rent. The loss of lakhs is estimated in the fire. The cause of the fire has not been ascertained.

As soon as the information was received, police personnel, fire vehicles, water power, fire department and home guard personnel reached the spot and started extinguishing the fire. SDM Dalhousie was also present on the spot. The fire was brought under control around 5 am. The SDM has given immediate relief of Rs 20,000 each to the affected. According to the tourists staying at Mall Road Dalhousie hotel, when they came out of the room at around three o'clock in the night, they saw flames rising from the shops. He informed this to the hotel manager. The hotel worker informed the administration and the fire department.

SDM Jagan Thakur said that five shops have been burnt in the main market of Mall Road located in Gandhi Chowk, Dalhousie. Goods kept in the shops also got burnt in the fire. The cause of the fire is being ascertained. 20-20 thousand rupees have been given as immediate relief to the affected.