Fire breaks out during excavation at Agroha

A fire broke out this morning at the historic mound in Agroha town of Hisar district, where excavation work is currently being carried out by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Haryana Archaeological Department.

The blaze started around 11 am while excavation activities were underway. Officials from the administration and the fire department rushed to the site — an elevated mound — but fire tenders were unable to access the area due to the challenging terrain.

In response, officials sought assistance from villagers of Agroha and nearby villages. Villagers arrived with sprinkle-tank fitted tractors and played a crucial role in controlling the fire. “The fire was brought under control by evening,” officials confirmed.

Due to strong winds, the fire quickly spread across many parts of the roughly 125-acre area. However, adjoining structures, including the Agroha Temple complex and the medical college, remained unaffected.

The Agroha police station incharge said, “Fire brigade vehicles were called in but they were unable to reach the exact location due to difficult terrain. Thus, the village panchayats were called in for help from Agroha.”

Excavation work at the site, ongoing for the past 45 days, is being led by Kamei Athoilu Kabui, Superintending Archaeologist of the ASI’s Chandigarh Circle. As part of the excavation, 12 trenches measuring 10x10 feet each have been dug on the mound.

Significantly, a human skull was discovered on Saturday in trench A-1. Sources noted that the skull does not appear to be very old, as it was found in the topmost layer of the mound. Other important findings from the site include carved stones featuring lotus designs, ancient building walls, clay pots, structural remains, remnants of stairs, and clay toys.