Short circuit: Public health engineering office gutted

Official told journalists the office had two computers, furniture and records of last few decades.

KOHISTAN:

The building of the Public Health Engineering department in Dasu district was destroyed in a fire on Saturday, police and office staff said.

The fire, that is believed to have erupted due to a short circuit, reduced office supplies and records to ashes. Dasu police quoted watchman Abdul Hakim saying he was asleep in the courtyard when he woke up at around 3:30am sensing a gust of heat.

He then discovered the building was on fire and informed the fire brigade office. However, the fire engine arrived after an hour, by which time residents in the area were trying unsuccessfully to put out the rising flames themselves. Hakim told the police five rooms and two sheds within the premises were completely gutted.

Sub divisional officer of the Public Health Engineering department told journalists the office had two computers, two photocopying machines, furniture and the records of the last few decades.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 18^th, 2014.