Shimla; More than four dorzen houses were completely destroyed in a fire which broke out past midnight in Khasani village in Rohroo sub division of Shimla district, about 130 km from here.
As many as 41 families were rendered homeless in the blaze. The fire spread fast and engulfed large number of heavily timbered old houses with traditional wood carving.
Villagers ran out of their houses in panic as the blaze swept. The villagers fought the flames and stopped the fire from spreading to a cluster of about 150 houses.
However, about 50 houses were reduced to ashes by the time the fire tenders from Rohroo and Kotkhai arrived at the spot. The fire brigade fought the flames for more than five hours.
The families rendered homeless by the blaze have been provided immediate relief of Rs 10,000, temporary shelter, clothes and ration by the administration.
The cause of fire was yet to be ascertained, old houses were made of wood and immediately caught fire official said.
