Munish Sood
Mandi
A night meant for celebration ended in unimaginable horror in Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur district, where six members of two families were burnt alive after a fire ripped through a village home where they had come as guests for the Magh festival.
The tragic incident took place late Sunday night in Talagna village of Ghanduri panchayat, about 15 kilometres from Nauhradhar. The victims were staying at the house of Mohan Singh when a fire, reportedly sparked by a burning angithi, suddenly spread through the room. Within moments, a gas cylinder exploded, turning the house into a blazing furnace and trapping everyone inside.
By the time villagers rushed to the spot after hearing the blast and screams for help, the entire structure had already been engulfed in flames. There was no escape route. No time. No chance to survive.
What remained was silence, smoke and six lifeless bodies.
Guests Came for Festival, Found D*eath Instead
The families had travelled from different parts of the state to celebrate Magh Sankranti (locally known as Saajha) — a festival that marks a month-long season of fairs, gatherings and hospitality across Sirmaur.
Among the victims were two sisters, Kavita and Tripta, who had come to their maternal home with their husbands and children to observe the sacred festival.
The deceased have been identified as:
• Kavita Thakur, wife of Lokendra Thakur (alias Chhotu) from Bijjar village in Chaupal, Shimla
• Her three children — Sarika, Kritika and Kritic
• Naresh Kumar and his wife Tripta from Taprauli, Rajgarh
Only Lokendra Singh managed to survive with severe burn injuries and has been shifted to Solan hospital for advanced treatment.
Locals said the families were asleep when sparks from the angithi ignited nearby material. The flames quickly reached the gas cylinder, causing a powerful blast that sealed all exits and turned the house into a death chamber.
A Village Drowned in Grief
The entire village of Talagna remains in shock. Homes are shut. Conversations have fallen silent. The air is heavy with mourning.
“This house was full of laughter when they arrived as guests. Now it smells of smoke and death,” said a villager with moist eyes.
Neighbours recalled hearing a loud explosion in the middle of the night followed by desperate cries. But by the time help arrived, the inferno had already claimed its victims.
Chief Minister Calls It Heart-Breaking
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed deep anguish over the tragedy and ordered an immediate investigation.
“This tragic fire incident in Talagna village of Shri Renukaji assembly constituency is extremely painful. The loss of six lives in such a heart-rending accident has shaken us deeply. I express my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. The administration has been directed to conduct an immediate inquiry and provide every possible assistance to the affected families,” the Chief Minister said.
He also appealed to people to exercise extreme caution while using heaters, angithis and gas cylinders during winter nights.
Leaders Across Political Lines Express Sorrow
Union Minister JP Nadda, former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, BJP state president Rajeev Bindal, and several Congress and BJP leaders expressed condolences. Local MLA Vinay Kumar, who is currently in Delhi, said he is rushing back to visit the affected families and the accident site.
