Up in flames: Fire in courtroom destroys record

Rescue official says judge and staff members remained safe during the incident.

DERA GHAZI KHAN: A huge fire erupted in district and sessions courts, Dera Ghazi Khan on Monday prompting fears that important record relating to properties and cases might have been destroyed in the breakout.

A rescue official told The Express Tribune, “The fire erupted in the room of Civil Judge Faraz Arshad when the hearing of a case was underway.” He added, “The blaze destroyed some important record and data while the furniture and other valuables have been reduced to ashes.” However, he said the judge and staff members remained safe during the incident.

The official maintained the rescue workers reached the spot soon after the incident and controlled the fire after the hectic effort of one-hour.

He said, “The blaze erupted due to an electric short-circuit but the police are investigating the matter from other angles.”

Earlier in 2016, record of properties in South Punjab, dating as far back as 150 years, was destroyed when a fire erupted in Multan district court’s registry office.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 14^th, 2017.