Illegal business: Fireworks market blaze destroys 15 shops

The fire began at 5pm, explosions were heard till midnight.

MULTAN:

As many as 15 shops burned down in Peepal Wali Market, a fireworks and wedding garlands bazaar, on Ayub Road in Khanewal on Monday.

The fire erupted at a fireworks shop at around 5 pm and quickly spread to other shops in the area. People living in nearby colonies said that Peepal Wali Market was known for illegally supplying fireworks for wedding ceremonies. It was also the hub of an illegal money-changing racket, they said.

Shopkeepers said the fire erupted due to sparking in a fireworks shop. Shaikh Khalil, one of the shopkeepers, said load shedding and poor electricity supply to the market had caused the sparking.



The shops were cramped in a tight alley, which is why the fire spread rapidly. Rescue-1122, the Fire Brigade Service and district government officials rushed to the scene and managed to evacuate the market. The operation continued into the night. Loud explosions and fireworks were seen and heard in the area till midnight.

There were no civilian casualties, but three Rescue workers, including Rescue-1122 Khanewal in-charge Ejaz, received injuries during the operation. They were taken to Khanewal DHQ hospital where doctors said they were out of danger.

City SHO Ishaq Siyal told The Express Tribune that losses had been estimated at Rs14 million.

Several shopkeepers however said that the losses were almost Rs50 million.

Requesting anonymity, a police official told The Express Tribune that police would investigate the fire as the area was also known for illegal money-changing businesses.

SHO Siyal refused to comment on the nature of the investigation but confirmed that they had received several complaints of illegal money-changing businesses in the area. “We have raided the market several times and registered 13 FIRs against money-changers over two years,” he said.

The market has been sealed. Sources said police had found burnt foreign currency in the debris.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 8^th, 2013.