A devastating fire swept through a remote village in the Banjar subdivision of Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district on Monday, leaving a trail of destruction amid freezing winter conditions. At least a dozen houses were completely reduced to ashes, while four smaller structures used for storing fodder were also destroyed. The tightly packed wooden houses, built in the traditional Kath–Kuni architectural style known for its timber and stone construction, provided ideal fuel for the flames, allowing the fire to spread rapidly before emergency services could intervene.
Witnesses said the fire began in the afternoon, with initial sparks quickly turning into a raging inferno as strong winds fanned the flames across the village. The absence of a proper motorable road severely hampered firefighting efforts, delaying the arrival of fire tenders. In desperation, villagers formed human chains, throwing water and mud onto burning structures in a futile attempt to contain the blaze. By the time firefighting teams managed to reach the site, most of the houses had already been engulfed.
Banjar MLA Surender Shourie, who has been coordinating relief efforts, confirmed that the blaze has now been brought under control. Speaking over the phone, he said, “Twelve houses have been completely gutted, and four fodder huts have also been destroyed. The administration has started providing relief materials and shelter to affected families. Efforts are underway to assess the total damage.”
Officials from the Kullu district administration reported that no loss of life has been recorded, though the property damage is estimated to be worth several lakhs of rupees. Families have lost not just homes but also stored grains, livestock feed, and essential household items — a devastating blow as the region faces plummeting winter temperatures.
Authorities have begun relief and rehabilitation work, setting up temporary shelters and distributing warm clothing, blankets, and food supplies to the displaced villagers. The local panchayat, along with disaster management teams, is also working to restore basic amenities such as water and electricity connections.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire may have been triggered by an electrical short circuit or a kitchen accident, though officials have not ruled out other possibilities. A forensic team has been sent to the site to determine the exact cause.
The Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA) has issued instructions to ensure that relief reaches all affected families promptly. With temperatures in the hilly region continuing to fall, the administration is racing against time to provide adequate shelter and heating arrangements for those left homeless by the fire.
As the charred remains of homes still smoulder, the air in the village is heavy with smoke and grief. For the families who lost everything overnight, the priority now is survival and rebuilding — a daunting task in the biting cold of the mountains.
