Investigators rule out short-circuit in revenue centre fire

Probe committee formed under additional deputy commissioner

ISLAMABAD: Investigators on Sunday ruled out the probability of a short-circuit causing a fire in the Tarlai Revenue Centre, though they stopped short of clarifying whether the fire was accidental or not.

Initial findings of the probe, however, negate earlier statements from the Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqat who had stated that the fire could have been caused by a short circuit.

A fire had erupted in the offices of a revenue officer in Tarlai late on Saturday evening.

Two fire incidents reported in different areas of Rawalpindi

An investigation officer, who spoke to The Express Tribune on the condition of anonymity since he was not authorised to speak to the media, stated that they did not find any of the telltale signs of a short-circuit in the office.

He added that they had also found signs of a broken window. However, the official said that it was too early to say whether it was a case of arson.

He added they were committed to tracing the elements behind the fire and to determining the magnitude of the records lost.

For this purpose, the official said that an investigation committee has been formed with Additional Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Waseem in the chair.

Meanwhile, Shafqat said that a case for the fire incident has been lodged with the Bara Kahu police.

Rescue 1122 responds to 1,073 emergencies during Eidul Azha

On Saturday evening, a fire had mysteriously erupted in a room of the Tarlai revenue centre. Quick action from rescue teams prevented the fire from engulfing the entire building.

Officials said that no important records were burnt or lost as the Deputy Commissioner and Tehsildar offices held copies of all the records in this office.

Shafqat, in a voice message circulated after the incident, had stated that a short-circuit was the cause of the fire and officially confirmed no casualties. He had also played down the importance of the records.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 19^th, 2019.