Kishtwar, January 1, 2026 — A devastating fire broke out in Thachna village in the remote Dachhan (also spelled Dacchan) area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Thursday evening, destroying multiple residential houses and causing widespread panic among locals.According to initial reports, the blaze engulfed around 8-9 houses, with some sources indicating the possibility of more structures being affected. The fire is believed to have started due to an LPG cylinder blast, rapidly spreading through the closely built wooden homes typical of the region’s mountainous villages.Local residents, police personnel, and fire service teams rushed to the scene to combat the flames. Efforts were hampered by limited water resources in the high-altitude area, but authorities successfully removed LPG cylinders from nearby houses to prevent further explosions. The district administration, in coordination with the Army and Police, deployed fire tenders and support teams immediately.
Deputy Commissioner of Kishtwar, Pankaj Sharma, confirmed that firefighting operations were underway and no casualties or injuries have been reported so far. Two Naib Tehsildars were deputed to assess the damage and coordinate relief efforts.The exact cause of the incident is under investigation, and the full extent of property loss is yet to be determined. Winter fires in Jammu and Kashmir’s remote villages are common due to heating appliances and electrical short circuits, often exacerbated by dry conditions and wooden constructions.
Relief measures, including temporary shelter and essential supplies, are being arranged for the affected families. Further updates are awaited as operations continue.
