Over 40 shops gutted in massive Abbottabad blaze

Fire near Ayub Medical Complex causes losses worth millions

ABBOTTABAD:

A massive fire broke out early Saturday morning in Lunda Bazaar, located along the Karakoram Highway near Ayub Medical Complex in Mandian, reducing more than 40 shops and several nearby residential houses to ashes.

The blaze caused losses amounting to millions of rupees.

According to eyewitnesses, the fire is believed to have started due to a short circuit in one of the shops and quickly spread across the market, which was stocked with winter merchandise such as used clothes, sweaters, shoes, and bags.

The intensity of the flames was so high that smoke and fire were visible from miles away.

Residents living behind the market narrowly escaped as the flames spread to adjoining houses.

Since the fire erupted early in the morning, most shops were closed. Repeated rescue calls were made to Rescue 1122, the Cantonment Board, TMA, and the district administration.

However, locals complained that emergency teams arrived late, by which time the market had already been reduced to ashes.

Rescue 1122 officials said four fire vehicles and two ambulances were dispatched immediately upon receiving the call, while additional fire brigades from Havelian, Cantonment Board, and TMA were also summoned due to the intensity of the blaze.

The firefighting operation continued for several hours before the flames were brought under control.

Fortunately, no casualties were reported. Traders and residents, however, suffered losses worth millions of rupees.

Affected shopkeepers held Rescue 1122 and local authorities responsible for the delayed response, staging a protest and demanding an inquiry into the incident.

District Emergency Officer Jan Muhammad Afridi directed that all available resources be used to completely extinguish the fire and prevent further damage.

The exact cause of the fire could not be determined till the filing of this report.