Blaze destroys shops near Chowk Bazaar

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HASSAN ABDAL:

A massive fire broke out near Chowk Bazaar, engulfing several shops and causing damage worth millions of rupees.

According to the rescue sources, the blaze was triggered by a short-circuit, reportedly caused by continuous sparking and dripping from overhead electric wires. It began in a stationery shop and rapidly spread to nearby electric and shoe stores.

The firefighting vehicles in Hasan Abdal were out of order. The fire intensified rapidly, prompting calls for backup firefighting units from Hazro and Taxila. Despite more than two hours of firefighting, at least six shops were reduced to ashes.

Traders took to the streets and accused WAPDA and the local fire brigade of gross negligence. They claimed multiple complaints had been lodged about power fluctuations and sparking earlier in the day, which went unaddressed. Trader leader Chaudhry Azhar said that despite the fire brigade's proximity, their response was delayed by over 90 minutes.