Himachal CM condoles death of people in fire incident

Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur condoled the death of five members of a family who were burnt alive when a fire broke out at a house in Mandi district early this morning.

The tragic incident occurred when the people were asleep after a ‘baraat’ (wedding procession) returned home with the bride and the groom late last night at Ner Chowk, 145 km from here, family sources said  Thakur met the bereaved family members and expressed deep condolences today. He assured them that the cause of the fire would be probed and every possible help would be provided.

Union Health Minister J P Nadda too expressed grief over this shocking incident. He said his thoughts and prayers were with the bereaved family members. Meanwhile, Mandi Deputy Commissioner Rugved Thakur told PTI that Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Rajiv Kumar would probe the incident.

The ADM will inquire all the aspects including the cause of the fire and allegations of fire-fighters arriving late at the spot. The ADM will submit the report within seven days, he said. Mandi Superintendent of Police Gurdev Chand Sharma said fire tenders were rushed to the spot, but five lives were lost before the blaze could be extinguished. Two others have sustained serious injuries.

The deceased have been identified as the parents of the bridegroom, Narender Soni (66) and Veena Soni (62); the sister of Narender, Sudesh (70); her daughter-in-law, Mona (40); and her 12-year-old son, Sai Sohel, the family sources said.