Fire damages floor of PSX building

No loss of life reported; cabins, equipment on fourth floor gutted.

KARACHI:

A fire on the fourth floor of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) severely damaged a hall and burnt down expensive equipment installed there. However, it caused no loss of life, the firefighters and rescue 1122 officials said on Monday.

Fire Officer Zafar Ahmed said that they were informed about the blaze at around 9:30am. Initially a fire brigade vehicle was sent to the spot but given the intensity of the fire, a snorkel, a bowser, and seven fire tenders were rushed to the scene.

The fire erupted on the fourth floor of the building – on the II Chundrigar Road where head offices of several banks, and big commercial entities are located – just before the start of trading on the first working day of the week. According to witnesses the floor housed dozens of cabins.

The Rescue 1122 teams, police, Rangers and volunteers from other welfare organisations also reached the spot to help put out the fire. The fire brigade and the Rescue 1122 teams brought the fire under control after two hours of continuous effort.

Fire Officer Zafar Ahmed said that the cabins in the hall were gutted along with the equipment. Ahmed confirmed that there was no loss of life but the damage to the property was extensive. After completing the cooling process, the causes of the fire will be determined, he added.