KATHMANDU: At least nine people from Salyan district, who were in India’s Himachal Pradesh for employment, have died in a fire incident.

According to the ward office, all nine deceased belonged to two families from Siddha Kumakh Rural Municipality–2 of Salyan district.

Those who lost their lives are Dhan Bahadur BK, Kabita BK, Radha BK, Renuka BK, Rajan BK, Kashiram Kami, Anu BK, Tika BK, and Kiran BK.

The ward office stated that the victims were staying in a rented room in Arki Bazaar of Solan district, Himachal Pradesh, India, where a gas cylinder explosion caused a fire on Monday night.

Indian media reported that the gas cylinder exploded around 2:30 a.m. on Monday, causing a fire in the house the Nepalis were living in.

Expressing grief over the incident, the ward office of Siddha Kumakh–2 has declared a holiday on Tuesday for all government offices and community schools within the ward.