A devastating fire broke out in the tourist town of Bir in Baijnath subdivision on Thursday, reducing four houses to ashes and causing losses worth several lakh rupees to the affected families.
According to reports, panic gripped the area after a fire erupted in rented accommodation and rapidly spread to adjoining houses. The blaze intensified within minutes, completely destroying two houses and causing extensive damage to nearby structures.
Eyewitnesses said thick plumes of smoke and towering flames engulfed the buildings, leaving residents with little time to salvage their belongings. Local people made desperate attempts to douse the flames, but the fire had already caused substantial damage before it could be brought under control.
On receiving information, a team from the Bir police station, led by ASI Dilip Saklani, rushed to the spot. Panchayat representatives and local volunteers joined the rescue and relief operations. Fire tenders from Baijnath, Jogindernagar and Palampur were pressed into service and managed to bring the blaze under control after sustained efforts.
The affected families include those of Sudarshana Devi, Bharat Kumar, Aditya, Guddu Devi and Ashwini Paul. Two of the families are reported to have suffered particularly heavy financial losses.
Sudarshana Devi said she had withdrawn Rs 50,000 in cash from a committee just a day before the incident, and the entire amount was destroyed in the fire. Gold ornaments, important documents and household belongings were also reduced to ashes.
House owners Col Jyotindra Paul and Kulvinder Paul said the fire broke out suddenly, leaving little time to save valuables. Following the incident, a Revenue Department team visited the site and began assessing the losses. The exact cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. The authorities have launched an inquiry into the incident.
