Shimla, Dec. 5 -- A massive fire engulfed the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation's (HPTDC) iconic Hotel Dhauladhar on Thursday evening, causing extensive damage to the building's reception area and parts of its upper floors.
Preliminary reports indicate that the blaze originated in the hotel's kitchen before swiftly spreading to adjoining sections, fuelled by the extensive use of wooden interiors.
Authorities immediately disconnected the power supply to the densely populated Kotwali Bazaar as a precaution.
Three fire tenders were pressed into service, but officials at the spot said the wooden structure, coupled with ongoing renovation work on the upper floors, posed significant challenges in bringing the flames under contro...