3-storey house damaged in fire

A three-storey residential building in flames at Chatroo in Kishtwar district. -Excelsior/Tilak Raj
A three-storey residential building in flames at Chatroo in Kishtwar district. -Excelsior/Tilak Raj

Excelsior Correspondent

KISHTWAR, May 27: A three-storey house was completely damaged in fire caused due to LPG cylinder blast here at Chaseeri.
According to the reports, the three-storey residential building of  one Jia Lal, son of Kunj Lal, resident of Chaseeri, completely perished in a devastating fire that occurred today at about 10 am, when a LPG cylinder burst with a big bang.
As per the police reports, the mishap occurred due to leakage of cooking gas. As soon as a woman of the house lit a matchstick to cook food, the LPG cylinder caught fire. In panic, the woman rushed outside the kitchen and raised alarm, following which all the family members safely moved outside.
Within minutes the cylinder exploded with a big bang due to which tined roof of the house broke and fire spread in the building. As the building was made of wood and tin sheets, the fire engulfed the whole building and all goods in the house.
The fire tenders could not reach the spot as the building was located in an area which is 35 km away from the district headquarter Kishtwar and was inaccessible for vehicles. However, due to efforts of Army, police officials and locals, the flames could be doused at about 2.30 pm.
According to SDPO Chatroo, Deputy SP Manoj Bhagat, though the building was completely damaged in the fire, there is no loss of life and all the family members timely rushed out of the house.
He said as an immediate relief, Red Cross Society Kishtwar gave a tent, a solar light, a kitchen set, ladies family pack, 10 blankets, 2 buckets and a cash of Rs 5000 to the victim family. Moreover, Army provided a tent to the family and district police gave them 2 quintals of rice and 2 quintals of flour (atta) on humanitarian grounds.
Meanwhile, locals of the area has demanded a fire station at Chatroo and sought personal attention of Chief Minister into the issue.