KARACHI:
Recently, a massive fire at the H-9 Weekly Bazaar in Islamabad engulfed a total of 374 out of 2,749 total stalls and caused heavy financial losses of salesmen exceeding millions of rupees. While fortunately, emergency teams reached the spot and were proactive in controlling the blaze, many families lost their source of income. Reports indicate that the fire caused extensive damage to a large section of the market.
Considering that this was the fifth major fire incident in the span of nine years, it once again highlights the need for better fire safety measures. The authorities should install fire alarms, provide firefighting equipment, inspect electrical wiring regularly and ensure emergency exits are available. Traders should also receive training on fire prevention and emergency response. I request the concerned authorities to investigate the cause of the fire, compensate the affected shopkeepers and take effective steps to prevent such incidents in the future.
Ayesha Iqbal
Islamabad
