Over 100 stalls burnt to ashes in flea market

Rescue official says cause of fire yet to be ascertained

RAWALPINDI:

More than 100 stalls set up at a flea market near Faizabad Interchange were burnt to ashes on Wednesday.

According to a spokesperson for Rescue 1122, no loss of life was reported in the incident.

He said the fire, which started at a stall, engulfed more than 100 small and large stalls within no time.

“The fire quickly engulfed the whole makeshift market of warm clothing and plastic goods,” he said, adding that the cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained.

The fire was reported at 4:26 am in morning. Fire tenders and other teams reached the spot in six minutes after the fire broke out.

Eleven fire tenders, two rescue vehicles and two ambulances and more than 50 rescue personnel took part in the firefighting operation, he said. During the first hour of firefighting, the blaze was prevented from spreading to other areas.

The spokesperson said that the fire was so intense that flames could be seen rising in the sky from far and wide.

Fire tenders were deployed around the fire and water was hosed on flames from all sides, he said, adding that after three hours of strenuous struggle, the fire was brought under control.

As soon as the cooling process was completed, Rescue 1122 personnel carried out a clearance operation in the flea market. Financial losses will be assessed by the district administration in collaboration with the stallholders, he said.

According to initial reports, more than 100 stalls have been reduced to ashes, he added. The police have started an investigation to find out the cause of the fire.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 6^th, 2022.