Fire gutters 16-room house in HP

Mandi, May 11 (UNI) A devastating fire gutted 16 rooms of a house in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh early today, causing a loss of Rs six lakh, but no loss of life was reported in the incident, police sources said.

Sixteen rooms of a house in Dral village, about 37 km from here, were gutted due to the fire, which began at about 1000 hrs, after the residents had left for the fields.

The sources said neighbourers pulled out an elderly woman from the burning house after hearing her cries for help and informed the fire personnel who even after reaching the spot were unable to put out the fire as the house was 500 meters away from the road.

However, no loss of life was reported due to the fire, the cause of which was being ascertained, the sources said.

The district administration has announced an immediate relief of Rs 5,000 each to the four families, who have been rendered homeless due to the burning of the house.

The sources said Suket Sports Club has promised to give blankets to families rendered homeless.

While the SDM has estimated a loss of Rs six lakh due to the fire, families estimated the loss at Rs 10 lakh.

UNI