Over 200 shops gutted in Bahawalpur blaze

Initial investigation suggests short-circuit caused the fire

BAHAWALPUR: At least 210 shops were gutted when a fire broke out at Bahawalpur’s Model Baazar at 5am on Friday.

According to Rescue 1122 sources, fire vehicles extinguished the inferno which caused losses worth millions of rupees. Apart from the shops, four motorcycles, hundreds of handcarts and other valuables were burnt to ashes.

According to the initial investigation, a short circuit caused the fire.



Punjab Food Minister Sammiullah Chaudhry, along with Deputy Commissioner Bahawalpur Shozab Saeed, Mayor Aqeel Najam Hashmi and other officials, reached the spot and oversaw rescue operations. No loss of life was reported in the incident.

Bahawalpur Mayor Aqeel Najam Hashmi said that every effort would be made to compensate the affected people. He added that government officials would also be consulted. "A proper investigation will be carried out and responsible persons will be taken to task," he said. The minister added that Model Bazaar was an important project of the former chief minister of Punjab who started it to provide employment opportunities for the people of Bahawalpur.

He assured that steps would be taken for the restoration and renovation of the Model Bazaar.

Muhammad Afzal, a grocery vendor told, The Express Tribune that it was his only source of income and now he has nothing. "I have nothing now and ask the government to compensate the loss as soon as possible."

Kamaal Joyia, who ran a clothes shop, said that he had recently invested in warm attire for the winter. "I was sleeping at home when I was informed about the fire. I rushed to the spot and saw everything had burnt to ashes. I have nothing left now."

Similarly, a vegetable vendor Ahmad Khan said that he has lost everything. "I don't know how I will run my kitchen now."

CM visits Bahawalpur

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar reached Bahawalpur on Friday on a three-day visit.



Bahawalpur commissioner, deputy commissioner, regional police officer and district police officer Bahawalpur welcomed the chief minister. Later, he, along with food minister Sammiullah Chaudhry, also visited the site of the fire incident.

Following the visit to Model Bazaar, the chief minister visited Borstal Institute and Juvenile Jail, from where he paid a surprise visit to Bahawal Victoria Hospital's Emergency Unit.

On Saturday, he will chair the cabinet meeting at the Islamia University in Bahawalpur.