An eight-year-old boy died and two others suffered burn injuries after a major fire broke out in the Old Bus Stand area of the Arki subdivision in Himachal Pradesh’s Solan district, police said on Monday.

The fire, which erupted late Sunday night, gutted several shops, and authorities said a few people were still feared trapped.

The deceased was identified as Priyansh, a resident of Bihar.

An enquiry has been ordered into the incident, which occurred around 2.45 am, Solan Deputy Commissioner Manmohan Sharma said.

According to officials, the blaze started in a wooden building and spread rapidly to neighbouring structures. The injured were admitted to the Arki Civil Hospital for treatment.

Arki MLA Sanjay Awasthi, who was at the spot, said considerable damage had been caused to 10 to 15 shops and houses.

A few people from Nepal are missing and are being looked for, he said.

Awasthi said what sparked the fire has not been ascertained yet.

Fire tenders were rushed from Arki, Solan, Nalagarh, and Boileauganj in Shimla, beside the Ambuja plant, to douse the blaze, which was brought under control.