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A late-night fire in Dhar village, in the Jubbal area of Himachal Pradesh’s Shimla district, left five families homeless, with no human casualties reported. News accounts disagree on the number of homes destroyed: Hindustan Times and Times of India report five, while The Tribune reports four.
What happened in Dhar village
The fire broke out on Thursday night, October 1, 2026. Hindustan Times reported that it began in a house at about 11 pm; Times of India said the Jubbal fire station was notified at around 11:20 pm. The three current reports reviewed said no human casualties were reported.
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Fire crews from nearby stations responded overnight. Hindustan Times reported that four fire tenders from Kotkhai, Jubbal and Rohru attended and that the blaze was under control by 5 am. Times of India said additional tenders were called from Rohru, Kotkhai and Tikkar and firefighters worked through the night.
Reports differ on the number of houses destroyed
Hindustan Times and Times of India reported that five houses were gutted. The Tribune reported that four houses were destroyed. All three accounts put the number of affected families left homeless at five. The reports do not establish a final official count of damaged homes.
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Cause and reported damage
The cause has not been established in the reporting. Hindustan Times said a cylinder explosion was considered possible, but was not confirmed. Times of India also reported that the cause remained unknown. Hindustan Times said police had initiated an investigation, while Times of India reported that police registered a case.
The Tribune estimated property damage at ₹3 crore. Hindustan Times described losses as amounting to lakhs but gave no precise total, so the ₹3 crore figure remains an outlet-reported estimate rather than an established official valuation.
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- Test/silence button for efficient testing to ensure alarm is working properly
Relief reported for affected families
Hindustan Times reported that SDM Gurmeet Negi said each affected family received immediate relief of ₹20,000, along with blankets and rations. The same outlet reported that Education Minister and local MLA Rohit Thakur expressed sorrow and assured the families of assistance.
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The Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority’s 2012 plan describes village fires as common in the high hill areas of Shimla district and notes the traditional use of wood in building materials. This is regional context; it does not identify the cause of the Dhar fire or explain how it spread.
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Shimla district’s official helpline page lists Fire Services at 101 and police at 100 and 112. These are general district contact numbers, not contacts specific to this incident.
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- Battery-operated alarm allows for easy installation and maintenance
- Front access battery compartment makes for easy battery replacements
- End-of-life warning lets you know when it’s time to replace the alarm
- Test/silence button for efficient testing to ensure alarm is working properly
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