It seems the fire which broke out in Urdu Bazaar three days back was so intense that it is still smouldering at different spots and could not be doused as rescue workers attempted to clear the rubble on Sunday.
More than 30 firefighters were still engaged at the site while the traders continue to remove debris themselves.
According to Rescue 1122 officials, five rescue vehicles, an ambulance, and more than 30 firefighters were still stationed in Urdu Bazaar. They are trying to overcome sporadic outbreaks of fire breaking out in different spots along with removing wreckage from shops and warehouses.
A Rescue 1122 spokesperson said that smoke can be seen emitting from different shops and warehouses at regular intervals.
Read: Several shops gutted as massive fire engulfs Rawalpindi's Urdu bazaar
Therefore, the cooling process would continue until all debris is removed. Until then, Rescue 1122 teams would remain deployed and declare it clear after a thorough inspection.
Meanwhile, Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat, Provincial Literacy Minister Raja Rashid Hafeez and Federal Parliamentary Secretary Sheikh Rashid Shafique visited the bazaar. They met with the traders to hear their grievances and assured them of assistance from the provincial government.
The officials visited different fire-affected areas of the market.
The traders demanded the provincial minister to grant permission for the reconstruction of shops. They also called for directing Water and Power Development Authority to fix clustered electric wires seen dangling in the bazaar.
The law minister assured the affected traders that the government would soon issue orders to the Rawalpindi commissioner regarding the reconstruction of shops.
Basharat reiterated that the government stood by the traders in this difficult time and would provide them with every possible assistance.
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