NEW DELHI, July 23 (Xinhua) -- At least five members of a family were killed and few others suffered burn injuries Monday in a devastating fire inside a residential building in northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, officials said.
The fire broke out during morning hours at Ner Chowk in Mandi district, about 127 km north of Shimla, the capital city of Himachal Pradesh.
"Fire broke out today inside a residential building here, killing five of a family besides injuring couple of people," said Rugved Takhur, district magistrate of Mandi. "It is a crowded area and there are no reports of people being trapped inside."
Immediately following the reports of fire, fighter tenders along with firefighters were rushed to the spot.
Several people who were trapped in the building were evacuated safely by firefighters, police said.
Authorities have ordered a probe into the cause of the fire. However, initial reports said blast of a cooking gas cylinder in one of the households triggered the blaze.
