India, Jan. 13 -- Three people, including an eight-year-old child, died in a major fire that broke out in the Old Bus Stand area of the Arki market in the Solan district, police said on Monday.

The fire, which started late Sunday night, destroyed several shops and buildings. Authorities fear that a few individuals may still be trapped in the debris.

So far, three bodies have been recovered from the site, according to Superintendent of Police Gaurav Singh.

The deceased child has been identified as Priyansh, a resident of Bihar. An inquiry has been ordered into the cause of the fire, which ignited around 2.45 am, Deputy Commissioner of Solan, Manmohan Sharma said. The blaze originated from a wooden building and spread rapidly to adjacent...