Fire guts hundreds of stalls at H-9 market

ISLAMABAD:

Hundreds of stalls and their merchandise were reduced to ashes after a fire broke out at the H-9 Sunday Bazaar in Islamabad.

Fire brigade teams reached the scene and brought the blaze under control, while traders termed the incident a conspiracy.

According to details, the fire erupted suddenly between 10pm and 11pm on Tuesday at the H-9 Sunday Bazaar near Peshawar Mor and quickly spread to several sections of the market.

Six Rescue 1122 fire tenders remained engaged in firefighting operations, while the Pakistan Navy's fire brigade also participated in the rescue efforts. According to the district administration, the fire spread to a total of nine sections of the market.

Sources said more than 380 stalls were affected by the blaze, while an initial estimate of financial losses is being assessed. No loss of life was reported.

Affected traders said government officials arrived at the scene very late and claimed that fires had become a recurring issue at the market.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Abdul Rehman Khan, president of the traders' association of H Section, alleged that the fire was not accidental but part of a conspiracy.

He said rescue agencies reached the scene too late, allowing the fire to spread extensively.