Body formed to probe blaze

AC-led committee to submit report within 10 days

RAWALPINDI:

A special investigation committee head by City Assistant Commissioner (AC) has been formed to look into the recent fire incident that gutted three shopping plazas on Murree Road in Rawalpindi on Muharram 10.

The primary objective of the committee is to prepare a comprehensive report within 10 days, which will cover various aspects of the incident, including the absence of emergency exits, the delayed arrival of rescue personnel, the estimation of damages, the cause of the fire, and other relevant factors.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a senior officer from the district administration revealed that the incident took place on July 29 while the main Ashura procession was in progress. At around 2pm, a fire broke out in a plaza located at Rehmanabad, for reasons yet to be determined.

The fire quickly spread to adjacent plazas due to the presence of a cloth warehouse, resulting in the destruction of three plazas and more than 25 shops. Tragically, a young tailor lost his life in the incident, and women's fancy clothes worth millions of rupees were reduced to ashes.

In response to concerns raised by affected traders, the deputy commissioner (DC) decided to initiate a formal investigation. The inquiry committee, led by City AC, includes representatives from Rescue 1122, the Buildings department, police, Civil Defence, and the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation.

According to the terms of reference (TORs) outlined for the committee, members will visit the site of the incident, gather evidence, examine CCTV camera footage, and record statements from eyewitnesses. The security plan prepared for the Ashura day processions will also be scrutinised by the committee, particularly with regard to the alleged absence of emergency routes.

An issue highlighted after the incident was that the fire tenders from Rescue 1122 faced delays in reaching the scene due to their involvement in procession duty.

The lack of designated emergency routes in the security plan hindered their prompt response, forcing them to take alternative, longer routes, which contributed to the delay in firefighting operations and subsequent losses.

The committee is set to commence its formal investigation on Tuesday (today), and its findings are anticipated to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the tragic fire incident in the shopping plazas.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 1^st, 2023.