Himachal Pradesh : Encroachments, LPG storage hamper rescue operations in Arki bazaar fire

Encroachments along a narrow road in Arki bazaar severely hampered rescue operations after a major fire gutted a building in Ward Number 4 on Monday, exposing serious lapses in urban safety, regulation and emergency preparedness.

Illegally erected sheds outside shops had reduced the road width to such an extent that heavy rescue machinery could not reach the site smoothly. To create access for earth excavation machines, several encroachments had to be dismantled during the operation.

According to officials and eyewitnesses, two earth movers were arranged around 8.30 am, but reaching the affected area proved difficult due to the constricted carriageway caused by encroachments.

The situation was further aggravated by the presence of six to nine LPG cylinders inside the gutted buildings. Officials said the unsafe storage of these cylinders intensified the blaze and caused it to spread rapidly to nearby structures, leading to heavy losses for residents and shopkeepers.

Arki MLA Sanjay Awasthi termed the incident alarming and said a detailed probe was required. “It must be investigated who stored these LPG cylinders in the affected buildings. If migrant families were using them, it should also be verified in whose names the cylinders were issued,” he said.

Awasthi said shortcomings revealed during the incident would be analysed and a concrete strategy framed to prevent such tragedies in future. Expressing grief over the loss of life, he said officials had been directed to provide immediate financial assistance of Rs 25,000 to the next of kin of the deceased.

The fire also highlighted infrastructural gaps, particularly the absence of water hydrants. Fire tenders reportedly lost nearly 10 minutes each time while returning to the Arki fire station for refilling after exhausting their water supply. To maintain continuity in firefighting, additional fire tenders were requisitioned from Nalagarh, Banalgi, Darlaghat and Shimla.

Santosh Sharma, Commandant, Home Guards, said rapid urbanisation in towns like Arki, Kunihar and Darlaghat has made it essential to expand the fire hydrant network. He added that a proposal to strengthen firefighting infrastructure has been sent to the Deputy Commissioner, stressing the urgency of systemic upgrades.

Meanwhile, the Arki police have registered an FIR under Section 287 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for negligent conduct with respect to fire on a complaint filed by Parikshit Gupta.

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