A fire swept through the century-old heritage market in Himachal Pradesh’s Solan district on Monday, destroying eight shops and causing losses estimated at Rs. $3 Crores. Although no injuries were reported in the incident, the pre-dawn fire spread through several buildings, sending thick black smoke into the air that could be seen from a distance.
Several gas cylinders exploded inside the affected stores, which exacerbated the fire. The affected outlets included restaurants, gift shops and a medical store, according to the Hizb ut-Tahrir report. Store owners suffered huge losses as a result of the accident.
A fire broke out at the heritage market in Kasauli
The fire started around 4 a.m. and quickly spread through the area. Within minutes, many stores were reduced to ashes due to the intensity of the fire.
Four fire engines, two from Parwanoo and one from Bangli and Solan, were rushed to the scene. It took firefighters nearly five hours to bring the situation under control.
Loud explosions from LPG cylinders were heard in the early hours, after which the flames quickly spread across the market, a local resident told HT earlier.
Users shared photos on social media showing the impact of the fire. HT.com has been unable to independently verify the authenticity of the visual images.
Mahender Pratap Singh, Kasauli sub-district magistrate, said he believed the cause was a short circuit. “The fire broke out in a restaurant and spread to neighboring shops,” he added, adding that “liquefied petroleum gas cylinders also exploded, causing the fire to ignite. The fire was brought under control at around 10:30 am.”
Among the damaged properties was one of the market’s oldest and most famous outlets, Narinder Bone Samosa Shop, which over the decades had been visited by A-listers like Sanjay Dutt and the late author Khushwant Singh for its simple, delicious food.
“We have grown up looking at this market and this is unimaginable,” said Gunbir Singh Sodhi, a resident of the area. “The famous Narinder Bone Samosa Shop is a landmark of this market. It is a part of history here and has become very famous even among celebrities and dignitaries.”
Solan Deputy Commissioner (DC), Man Mohan Sharma, said that each of the eight affected shopkeepers received immediate relief. $25,000 by the management.
Fire officials said Tribune About 10-12 burned LPG cylinders were found at the site, many of which were severely damaged or ruptured due to the heat.
Residents expressed their anger at what they described as neglect. They said the fire could have been brought under control sooner if repeated cylinder explosions had not disrupted firefighting work, the report said.
Historical importance of Kasauli Heritage Market
In 1842, the British East India Company established Kasauli as a cantonment town. The Heritage Market, a major part of the hill station, is more than a century old.
Kasauli still has a “19th-century colonial atmosphere,” as seen in its small shops and cobblestone paths, according to the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation.
The Heritage Market has for years served as a hub for local businesses and a tourist spot. It is famous for its restaurants, small shops and well-known outlets.
Buildings in and around the market continue to display colonial-style features such as wooden porches and traditional hillside architecture, according to an article in the publication Live the World.
A visit to the Heritage Market attracts shoppers and food lovers. The article stated that the market offers a wide range of goods, ranging from modern clothing and accessories to traditional handicrafts and souvenirs.
Over time, some of the shops in the market became landmarks in their own right, adding to its identity. One example of this is the famous Narender Bin Samosa Shop.
