Kasauli: A major fire broke out in the early hours of Monday in the bustling heritage market of Kasauli, destroying several shops and triggering panic among local traders and residents.
According to eyewitness accounts, the fire is believed to have started following an explosion in an LPG cylinder inside one of the shops. Within minutes, the flames spread rapidly to adjoining establishments, fueled further by successive cylinder blasts that intensified the inferno.
Preliminary reports indicate that at least three restaurants and a chemist shop were severely damaged in the incident. The narrow layout of the market and the presence of flammable materials made it difficult to contain the fire in its initial stages.
Firefighting teams from nearby areas, including Parwanoo, were rushed to the spot to assist in dousing the flames. However, the operation faced challenges due to the scale of the fire and logistical constraints.
Local traders gathered at the scene in a desperate attempt to salvage goods, but many expressed concern over delays in the arrival of fire tenders. Thick plumes of smoke could be seen billowing into the sky, visible from a considerable distance, as the blaze continued to rage through the morning.
Authorities are yet to confirm the exact cause of the fire, while efforts to bring the situation under control were still underway at the time of reporting.
