Dharamsala’s iconic hotel gutted, estimated loss Rs 1 crore

A massive fire broke out around 8 pm on Thursday at Hotel Dhauladhar, the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation’s (HPTDC) flagship property in the heart of Dharamsala. The blaze caused extensive damage to the kitchen and adjoining areas. It reportedly originated from a gas stove in the kitchen and quickly spread to the wooden restaurant and conference hall, intensifying the situation.

Preliminary inputs suggest that the fire may have been triggered by a malfunctioning stove burner, though a formal investigation is underway. The estimated loss is around Rs 1 crore, with significant damage to the kitchen, store, equipment and side lounge.

Firefighters and emergency responders battled the flames for over two hours before bringing them under control. Officials said the swift response of the hotel staff and personnel from the Jal Shakti Department played a crucial role in containing the fire and averting a major disaster.

Senior district officials, led by ADM Shilpi Beakta, rushed to the site to oversee rescue and containment efforts. Speaking to The Tribune, Beakta said, “The biggest challenge was evacuating the occupants, who were in a state of panic. But everyone rose to the occasion to help contain the blaze.” She also expressed an emotional connection with the hotel, calling it a landmark cherished by generations in the town. It is noteworthy that several government officials were staying at the property for the ongoing Vidhan Sabha session in Dharamsala. All 27 rooms were evacuated as a precaution and no casualties were reported.

HPTDC Managing Director Dr Rajiv Kumar (IAS) said the corporation is committed to restoring and reopening the hotel at the earliest, especially in view of the upcoming tourist season and the India-Africa match scheduled in Dharamsala on December 14.