Search for Loved Ones Continues After Devastating Market Fire in Arki
A night of horror has left a community in shock and mourning. A devastating fire tore through the congested market area of Arki late Sunday night, claiming the life of a young girl and leaving eight others—four of them children—missing. As dawn broke, families awaited news, their hearts heavy with fear.
The fire broke out around midnight in a two-storey building that housed shops on the ground floor and families of migrant labourers upstairs. The night’s calm was shattered by a series of massive explosions as LPG cylinders stored in the building and nearby shops ignited one after another. The blasts shook the neighbourhood, waking residents who fled into the dark, smoke-filled streets for safety.
Neighbours described the terrifying scene as the flames, fuelled by closely-packed shops, spread uncontrollably, consuming everything in their path.
Firefighters rushed to the scene and battled the inferno through the night, finally bringing it under control by early morning. But the cost was already too high. Multiple shops were completely gutted, their contents—livelihoods built over years—reduced to ashes.
The search for loved ones is now a desperate race against time. Rescue workers, sifting carefully through smouldering debris, have recovered the body of an eight-year-old girl. The focus remains on finding the eight missing individuals: two women, two men, and four children, whose families cling to hope amid the devastation.
Local MLA Sanjay Awasthi, who visited the burned-out market, assured residents that rescue and relief efforts are the top priority and that affected families will receive all possible support. The exact cause of the fire is still unknown.
Today, the Arki market stands charred and silent, a stark reminder of the fragility of life and community. As rescue operations continue, a town waits, prays, and prepares to heal.
Sukhu expresses grief over fire incident
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has expressed grief over the fire incident that broke out on Sunday night in Arki market in Solan district, in which an eight-year-old child was reported to have died.
As soon as the information was received, the Chief Minister instructed the Deputy Commissioner of Solan to immediately carry out relief and rescue operations. He said that fire engines were pressed into service besides fire vehicles from the Arki Fire Service, along with fire vehicles from Boileaugang in Shimla district, Banalgi in Solan district and the Ambuja Cement Company were immediately sent to the spot. The fire has now been brought under control and relief and rescue work was on war footing. He said that local MLA Sanjay Awasthi was present at the site and was overseeing the rescue operations.
Two people were injured in the incident and were being treated at the Civil Hospital in Arki. The local administration has been directed to provide them with all possible assistance.
The Chief Minister has directed that immediate help be given to the family of the deceased and has ordered the district administration to investigate the incident.
Sh. Sukhu prayed for the peace of the departed soul and for strength for the bereaved family to endure this great loss. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of all those injured in this unfortunate incident.
