Rail traffic unaffected
The station was a junction for the 96-km-long narrow gauge Kalka-Shimla rail line, but traffic was plying normally on the route. Police said that no one was injured in the blaze.
“The entire station located on the Kalka-Shimla track in Solan district was destroyed in the fire that broke out late on Monday night,” said Inspector General (railway traffic) Pradeep Kumar Sarpal.
He said five fire engines took more than five hours to bring the blaze under control.
Fire due to short-circuit “Prima facie, it seems the fire was caused due to a short-circuit,” he said.
Another police official said that several important documents and ornate furniture was gutted in the fire.
Officials of Northern Railways from Ambala division have reached the spot to evaluate the loss and to know the reasons for the fire. Divisional Railway Manager P K Sanghi said that an inquiry has been ordered.
Track record
» The century-old Kalka-Shimla rail line was built in 1903 to ferry Europeans to and from Shimla.
» It has been chosen as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
» It was opened to traffic by Indian Viceroy Lord Curzon
