Locals lament fire brigade could not reach in time, decry dysfunctional water pumps
President, PM, CM, others grieved over incident, inquiry into incident launched
At least six children lost their lives in a fire which erupted at their house in Kot Khawaja Saeed on Sher Shah Road in Lahore on Sunday.
Per details, siblings, namely Minahil, 12, Zain, 11, Dua, 8, Hanan, 5, Azlaan, 2, and Azaan, 2, were burnt alive as flames engulfed the 2nd floor of their house while two others sustained minor injuries.
The victims’ family members said that the fire started due to a short circuiting in the air-conditioning system.
Neighbors looked grief-stricken while the family members were inconsolable.
They informed that the rescue teams arrived late and a fire brigade also broke down during the rescue. They stated that precious lives could have been saved had the rescue teams arrived in time.
The police arrived at the scene and started an investigation while the injured were shifted to the nearby hospital.
Later in the day, funeral prayers of the six children were offered.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has expressed his deep sense of grief over the loss of lives of six innocent children and has taken serious notice of delay in rescue activities.
While seeking a report on the incident from the concerned officials, the prime minister ordered action against the officials responsible for delay in rescue of the trapped children. He also directed that a proper strategy be evolved to deal with fire incidents with the help of latest equipment.
President Mamnoon Hussain, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan have expressed condolences over the loss of innocent lives.
