DHARAMSALA: A major fire broke out late last night at a popular hotel in the Dhauladhar tourist zone, triggering panic and forcing the evacuation of several families. The blaze, suspected to have been caused by a gas cylinder explosion—though not yet officially confirmed—engulfed parts of the building, including the recently renovated rooftop.
Cabinet-rank official and HPTDC Chairman R.S. Bali rushed to the spot and supervised the ongoing relief and rescue operations. The Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, Kangra, also reached the site and directed fire brigade teams, which battled the flames for several hours before bringing the situation under control.
The hotel located in Kotwali Bazaar and frequently used by administrative and media personnel during the winter session, has suffered extensive damage, with several rooms and property completely destroyed. Renovation work worth nearly ₹1 crore was reportedly underway on the rooftop at the time of the incident.
Local residents, hotel staff, and the administration jointly assisted in evacuating those inside. No casualties have been reported so far.
Meanwhile, HPTDC AGM Kailash Thakur has claimed a loss of approximately ₹100 crore in the incident. This hotel is considered the corporation's oldest in Kangra district. It has a large meeting hall, restaurant, and approximately 27 rooms.