Shimla, July 23 (UNI) Five people, including two women and a child, were burnt alive during a marriage function at Nerchoke market in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh early Monday morning.
Deputy Commissioner Mandi Regvad Thakur said that victims were sleeping in a room when
fire broke out from electric short circuit and suddenly turned into an inferno after an LPG cylinder blast.
The family was asleep when the incident occurred as the house was to organise marriage reception today.
A fire tender doused down the inferno. However, five people, sleeping in a room, could not be saved.
The deceased were identified as Narinder Soni (65), Beena Soni (60), Sudesh Sohail (75), Mona
(40) and Sahil (8). They belonged to two families and joined the marriage party.
Local MLA Under Singh Thakur, Former Minister Prakash Chawdhary and Deputy Commissioner visited the spot and consoled the greaving family members.
The DC also ordered a Magistrate probe into the incident.
Wailing family members blamed the delayed response of fire tender in reaching the spot.
The family was preparing for a reception after solemnising marriage a day before the incident.
Bodies have been sent for autopsy.
UNI ML SB 1326