Blaze put out in six-hour long operation
A huge fire that engulfed an auto parts warehouse near the Regional Tax Office in a populated area of the city was finally extinguished after six hour-long operation by dozens of Rescue 1122 fire fighters on Monday. About 19 fire engines and around 60 fire fighters took part in around six-hour long operation to put out the fire. Rescue 1122 spokesman said the fire was extinguished at 4:00pm and the cooling process was underway. He said the fire broke out probably due to a spark caused by turning on the main switch. However, the real cause of fire would be ascertained after investigations, he said, adding the thick black smoke suggested that plastic auto parts and oil stock burnt in the fire. An eyewitness said the fire fighters had controlled the fire at around 11:00am, however, it erupted again on the backside the warehouse. Rescue 1122 spokesman Abdul Jabbar said the fire fighters faced hurdles in approaching the burning area as the warehouse had no direct access from the road. They demolished some walls of the warehouse to throw water directly on the flames but with limited success. The people residing nearby were told to vacate their homes till the fire was extinguished and the cooling process was completed, he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 18th, 2020.