Shimla, Nov 9 (PTI) Property worth lakhs was gutted in nearly 200 fire-related incidents on Diwali day, with about a dozen of them reported in Shimla and surrounding areas,
No loss of life was reported in the fire incidents.
According to police, 586 emergency incidents were reported on Sunday, including 187 fire-related incidents.
A fire broke out at Sai Flats in Mehli in the suburbs of Shimla around 10:20 pm and it took fire tenders over an hour to douse the flames.
Property worth about Rs 7 lakh was damaged, assets valued at approximately Rs 3 crore were successfully saved, officials said on Monday.
Additionally, forest fires were reported near Byulia, Rajhana and Hippa. A fire also broke out in the forest area near Dhingu Temple. A house caught fire in the Bani area of Theog subdivision of the district.
A forest fire was reported at 9:28 pm in the Ghasani area near the bypass in Bharari. Furthermore, forest fires were reported in the areas of Bagaghat, Jaisghati (Theog), Pawach, and Gumma.
Incidents of fire during Diwali caused significant losses to several families in Chamba district. In Churah and the tribal region of Pangi, fires consumed stocks of fodder, apple saplings, maize stalks and even houses.
In the subdivision of Pangi, three families were affected by a fire that broke out between 5 and 6 am on Monday morning in Punto village, located within the Karel gram panchayat.
The fire originated in a house and subsequently spread to adjacent homes. As the three houses were situated right next to each other, the fire spread rapidly, destroying rooms on the upper floors, sheds used for storing fodder, and the dry fodder kept within them.
Fire was also reported in Kullu, Banjar, Jari and Patlikuhal area in Kullu district.
In Archandi village, a fire broke out around 1:35 am in a house. The Patlikuhal fire department team managed to bring the blaze under control after a strenuous effort.
The State's Emergency Response Support System (ERSS-112) handled 586 emergency incidents in a single day -- the highest ever recorded since ERSS-112 began in Himachal Pradesh. These included 187 fire-related incidents, placing extraordinary demands on emergency response personnel across the state, police said.
Despite this unprecedented workload, ERSS-112 maintained an average event response time of just 3 minutes and 37 seconds, a statement issued here claimed.
"While families were celebrating Diwali, our emergency response personnel remained on duty, responding to distress calls and ensuring that help reached citizens without delay. Handling a record 586 emergencies while maintaining such an impressive response time is a testimony to their dedication, professionalism and teamwork," DGP Ashok Tewari said.
(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)