A multi-storey building at Sauli Khad near Mandi collapsed around 10 PM on Monday night like a house of cards. The loss has been unofficially estimated at Rs. 6 crore. Fortunately no loss of life has been reported.
Many residents had a providential survival as they rushed outside the building when it started falling with creaking noise which they mistook as earth tremors. Soon the huge structure caved in with a big bang.
The district officials and fire tenders rushed to the spot and the work of removing the debris with heavy machines like bulldozer and JCB was started to ensure that none remained buried under the debris of the building.
The cause of the building collapse is stated to be heavy weight of several trucks of beer and whisky bottles packed in the building taken on rent by liquor contractor. Moreover, the building is said to have been constructed with hollow blocks which could not bear the heavy weight.
Police has registered a case and the statements of the affected persons were also recorded.
The traffic on the NH – 21 remained blocked for about two hours as the debris of the huge building had fallen on the highway.
