Shimla, July 18: A major blast occurred at an eating joint adjacent to the fire brigade office on Mall Road in the heart of Shimla, officials said on Tuesday evening.
One person was killed and seven others were injured in the incident.
The blast was so powerful that the window glass of numerous nearby houses was shattered, and the sound could be heard for miles.
Rescue operations were initiated as the spot is a few metres away from the fire station and the police control room.
Witnesses believe it was a cylinder blast. They claimed to have reported a gas leak about 20 minutes before the explosion.
“One person was killed in the blast while seven others who sustained burn injuries were immediately rushed to Indira Gandhi Medical College Hospital (IGMCH) Shimla,” Deputy Commissioner, Shimla Aditya Negi said.
Police and forensic teams are on the scene, and it will be determined soon what caused the explosion, he said.
On the site, BJP spokesperson Karan Nanda urged an investigation into the incident as well as adequate compensation for individuals whose shops were damaged.
Also Read | Jammu & Kashmir: Four terrorists killed in encounter with security forces in Poonch