Repeated Blaze at Nainital's Historic Old London House Sparks Concerns

A historic colonial-era building in Nainital, known as the Old London House, was engulfed in flames early Monday morning, marking the second fire incident in the last two months. The heritage building, located at Mohanko Square in the Mallital area, is once again under scrutiny as locals express concerns over repeated safety lapses.

The fire reportedly broke out around 2.30 am, targeting the same area that had barely withstood a previous blaze on August 27. Tragically, the earlier incident resulted in the death of 82-year-old Shanta Bisht, sister of renowned environmentalist and historian Dr. Ajay Rawat.

Despite efforts by firefighters, the latest blaze proved challenging due to inadequate water pressure in the fire pump, a recurring issue that hampered quick containment. Speculation points to a short circuit as the cause, but investigations continue, with police exploring any potential foul play.