A massive fire broke out early Tuesday morning at the historic Old London House in the Mallital area of Nainital, causing damage estimated at several lakhs of rupees. The incident has once again raised questions about fire safety preparedness in the hill town, as this is the second major fire at the same location within two months.
Our correspondent reports that the fire started around 2.30 a.m., rapidly spreading through the wooden structure of the heritage building near Mohan Chowk. The flames engulfed the ground floor, where a furniture shop was located, destroying stock worth lakhs before the blaze was brought under control by the fire department after several hours of effort.
Our correspondent adds that fire officials suspect a short circuit as the likely cause of the incident, although a detailed investigation has been ordered. The building’s old timber frame and congested surroundings made the firefighting operation extremely difficult. Local residents said that water pressure in nearby fire hydrants was insufficient, delaying the dousing operation.
Eyewitnesses reported that the fire spread quickly due to the age and dry condition of the building’s wooden structure. The narrow approach lanes and lack of an adequate emergency system added to the challenges faced by the fire service personnel. By the time the flames were controlled, much of the furniture store and upper portions of the building had been damaged.
The owner of the shop stated that all his goods had been destroyed in the fire, resulting in heavy financial losses. Authorities have cordoned off the area and initiated an assessment of the structural stability of the remaining sections of the building.
Old London House, built during the British colonial period, is one of Nainital’s oldest commercial structures and considered part of the town’s architectural heritage. The repeated fire incidents have sparked concerns among locals and conservationists over the safety of historical buildings that lack modern fire-prevention systems.
Officials from the Nainital district administration said that the cause of the recurring fire will be examined thoroughly and that preventive measures, including installation of new hydrants and electrical safety inspections, will be strengthened in all major market areas.
Residents of the area expressed concern that despite a similar fire in August 2025, during which an elderly woman had tragically lost her life, no major upgrades were carried out to improve the firefighting infrastructure. Many have demanded that older commercial buildings be inspected regularly and retrofitted with fire-resistant materials.
Experts noted that hill towns like Nainital, with their tightly packed buildings and narrow streets, remain highly vulnerable to fires. They have urged the administration to adopt stricter enforcement of safety codes, periodic drills, and the use of modern alert systems to safeguard heritage structures and prevent further losses.
