Five houses gutted at Theog, cow burnt alive

As many as five families were rendered homeless after their houses were gutted by a fire in Theog subdivision of Shimla district today. However, no loss of human life was reported but a cow perished in the fire.

As per officials, the incident took place around 10 am at Namana village in Theog when the fire broke out in the houses of Sant Ram, Balak Ram, Hari Ram, Rati Ram and Layak Ram and spread quickly.

Locals informed the Fire Department and also tried to put it out but the houses were destroyed. In the meantime, district administration officials also reached the village to take stock of the situation.

Theog SDM Shashank Gupta said that the exact cause of the fire and the total loss suffered were being ascertained. He added that Rs 5,000 each was granted as immediate relief to the affected families, who shifted to the houses of their relatives.