Rohru: An 80-year-old woman was killed in a fire that gutted eight houses in Dugyani village in Shimla district on Sunday, police said.
The deceased woman was identified as Sodha Mani, they said.
The blaze was put out by the fire brigade with the help of local people and the police.
The exact cause of the fire is being ascertained.
The fire has reportedly rendered nearly 70 families homeless and the cause behind the tragic incident is not known yet.
As per reports, the fire broke out suddenly into the wodden houses. The unruly blaze soon engulfed another houses nearby.
The fire department reached the spot as soon as they were informed and doused the blaze.
The administration has provided relief fund to the homeless families and has also made food and lodging arrangements for them.
DC Shimla Amit Kashyap said: "As soon as the fire was reported in Dungariani village of Chidgaon, fire vehicles from Jubbal, Rohru and Chidgaon were sent to extinguish the fire."
About Rs 5000 has been provided to affected families and Rs 10,000 has been given to the family of the deceased lady.
The essential items including ration, blanket have been made available for the homeless families.
Himachal Pradesh CM Jairam Thakur and Governor Bandaru Dattatreya has expressed grief over the incident.
