Valuables worth millions gutted in two fire incidents
Valuables worth millions of rupees were burnt to ashes in two fire incidents reported in different areas of the garrison city including a high-rise building on Mall Road. No loss of life was reported in both incidents.
Rescue sources said that a fire broke out on the third floor of a five-story building on Mall Road, which soon engulfed the entire floor.
According to sources, a private laboratory was situated in the building where medical machinery and other equipment worth millions of rupees were installed.
Upon receiving information, the Rescue 1122 and Rawalpindi Cantonment Fire Brigade arrived at the spot and started firefighting efforts.
The firefighters said that the intensity of the fire and smoke on the third floor was so high that it was extremely difficult for them to reach the top floors of the building. However, they tactfully broke the window panes of the affected floor and sprinkled water to extinguish the fire.
After controlling the fire, a search operation was also carried out on the affected floor. According to the preliminary investigation, the fire started due to a short circuit.
The second incident of fire was reported from Tarnol Gate, where a blaze broke out in an automobile oil refining factory. The fire was so intense that plumes of black smoke could be seen from far away.
On receiving information, fire tenders from Rawalpindi and Islamabad were called to the spot. After an hour of firefighting, the rescue agencies brought the fire under control.
While the rescue sources said that no loss of life was reported in the incident, the machinery worth millions of rupees in the factory was burnt to ashes.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 17th, 2023.