In horrific incidents reported from the two largest cities of the country, at least 50 people were burnt to death when fires broke out in factories in Lahore and Karachi on Tuesday.
The fires broke out in a shoe sole manufacturing factory and a garments factory in Lahore and Karachi, respectively.
At least 25 people were burnt to death when chemicals inside the shoe factory in Lahore caught fire when workers tried to start an electricity backup generator.
The owner of the factory and his son were among those killed. At least 45 workers were present at work when the fire broke out at the premises and it took 10 fire engines an hour to bring the blaze under control.
The Lahore district coordination officer confirmed that the fire was caused by sparks from the electricity generator that ignited the chemicals.
Mayo Hospital Lahore Medical Superintendent Dr Zahid confirmed the death of 18 workers, most of whom suffered third-degree burns, and the rest from inhaling poisonous fumes. He said the injured with first and second-degree burns were being treated in the burns ward, while minor surgeries had been performed to save the lives of some of the workers. Dr Zahid later said the hospital had received 21 dead bodies. Three bodies of factory workers were taken to Munshi Hospital.
The owner of the factory was identified as Rajab Ali, who hailed from Multan.
A local official said the fire broke out when workers in the building were trying to start the backup generator after electricity went out.
Sparks from the generator set chemicals placed nearby on fire and the resultant blaze engulfed the factory within minutes.
The Punjab government announced Rs 500,000 for the heirs of each dead and Rs 75,000 for each injured person in the accident as compensation.
Several shoe factories have been set up in Lahore’s residential areas and most are ill-equipped and lack modern safety equipment.
KARACHI FIRE: In the Karachi blaze, at least 24 people, including three women and a 10-year-old child, were burnt to death and several others were left injured.
The fire erupted and engulfed a five-storey building of a garments factory on Hub River Road in Karachi West.
At least 31 people were reported injured in the blaze.
The building filled with smoke and many jumped from the second floor to save their life.
The cause of the inferno was not immediately known.
