110 shops sealed over lack of fire safety measures

The department of civil defence has launched a major crackdown against the markets, factories and big warehouses of petroleum products, gas cylinders, paper, cardboard, plastic, and wood articles, and those who do not install fire extinguishers in their factories throughout the city and cantonment areas.

The crackdown has been initiated on the strict orders of the deputy commissioner following the terrible blaze that broke out a fortnight ago in the warehouse of Nankari Bazaar, the largest wholesale market in the city.

During the intense crackdown, 110 shops have been sealed and their cases submitted to the district magistrate's court while the court has issued summons to the owners of all the challaned shops.

Furthermore, as many as 297 shops and warehouses of cardboard, plastic, furniture, wood, cloth, and numerous gases and cylinder facilities have been issued challans across the city.

A red warning has also been issued to immediately seal the challaned shops that do not install fire extinguishers within a week.

On Wednesday, the department of civil defence took action in different areas including Nankari Bazaar, Moti Bazaar, Raja Bazaar, Pirwadhai, Adiala Road, Chakri Road, and Bara Market.

When contacted, Civil Defence District Officer Talib Hussain confirmed to The Express Tribune that seven squads have been formed for monitoring and issuing challans.

“Four teams, including one each from the tehsils of Gujjar Khan, Taxila, and Kahuta, are conducting operations in the marketplaces of Rawalpindi City and Cantonment,” he said.

According to the civil defence official, the thorough inspection of big warehouse centres including Khanna, Koral, Mohanpura, Usmanpura, Ghazni Road, Pirwadhai, Angatpura, Bhabra Bazar, Bohar Bazar, Gawalmandi, Ganj Mandi, Rata Amaral, and Hazara Colony has been started.

The official said for the past three days, civil defence teams have been conducting daily raids.

“There is now zero tolerance for shops and warehouses that contribute to the spread of fires,” he said. “There is also zero tolerance for cloth, paper, plastic, wood, gas cylinder and petroleum shops, furniture factories and showrooms,” he added.

The Punjab Safety Act makes fire extinguisher installation mandatory. Under this act, imprisonment can be imposed with a fine ranging from Rs50,000 to Rs200,000.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 26^th, 2023.