Four get hurt while putting out fire at house in Kotkhai

Four persons sustained burn injuries in a fire that broke out in a two-storied building at Kyari village in Kotkhai subdivision of Shimla district around 6 am on Tuesday.

The fire reportedly broke out in a house owned by Sushil Kumar, former panchayat head, and quickly spread throughout the building. At that time, only two members of the family were present in the house, who immediately rushed outside. They informed the Fire Department and a fire engine from Kotkhai was dispatched. The firefighters were able to put out the fire with the assistance of locals. However, four persons received burn injuries while trying to extinguish the fire. They were rushed to the Civil Hospital, Kotkhai, and were discharged after being provided with first aid.

Abhishek Barwal, SDM, Kotkhai, said that the fire caused an estimated loss of Rs 30 lakh to Rs 40 lakh and its exact cause was being ascertained. He added that about 60 per cent of the house was completely damaged in the fire. “Four or five persons of the family were living there but only two were present at the time of the incident. As the house had about 20 rooms, the affected family members decided to stay there. As an interim relief, the district administration has provided Rs 10,000 to the affected family,” he added.