Goods reduced to ashes as factory, workshop catch fire

Blazes erupted at a garment factory and a furniture workshop on Saturday night. While no casualties were reported, goods and equipment were gutted.

A garment factory caught fire in SITE, with three fire tenders soon arriving to launch efforts to douse the blaze. It took them two hours to extinguish the fire.

The intensity of the flames led the structure to collapse, while cloth, machinery and other goods inside the factory burned to ashes. The cause of the fire could not immediately be ascertained.

Separately, a fire erupted at a furniture workshop in Bijli Nagar, Orangi Town. Those present in the building were evacuated, but the furniture inside was reduced to ashes by the time fire department officials arrived at the spot.

According to the workshop owner, the blaze was the result of a short-circuit. He claimed they had informed the fire department about the fire immediately but fire-fighters only arrived two hours afterwards.

He added they had sought assistance from the nearest fire station as well, but not a single fire tender there was in working condition.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 23^rd, 2020.