20191025 Spiti SDM office gutted in fire
India Oct 25 2019 “Building” “Complex bldg.” “Office bldg.”
Dead : dead 0 or unknown Burnout : 1 to 29 Injured : injured 0 or unknown
Spiti SDM office gutted in fire
Updated: 2019–10–26
MANALI: The whole building of SDM office at Kaza in Spiti was gutted on Friday evening after fire broke out in the two-storeyed building late in the evening. Sources said the fire was caused by LPG leakage. As the Lahaul-Spiti district goes powerless for several days in winters, all the government offices are provided with LPG room heaters. Leakage in one of the cylinders was believed to be the reason behind the incident. Two cylinders also burst during the incident, worsening the situation.
One floor of the multi-purpose building belonging to tribal development, which housed the SDM office, was completely destroyed. Some part of another floor was also damaged, but was saved by people. Sources said all documents and computers in the office turned to ashes.
Surprisingly, the entire Spiti valley has no fire service. The valley is dry and has limited water supply. The Spiti river and Kaza nullah also dry up in winter months when water turns to ice in extreme cold conditions. In the absence of a fire tender, the fire was doused manually.
Lahaul-Spiti superintendent of police Rajesh Dharmani said police and ITBP jawans were engaged in dousing the fire. Spiti SDM Jeewan Negi said the fire was controlled, but one storey got damaged.
Web Souce : The times of India