At least five people were burnt and suffocated to death on late Friday night as fire engulfed the third floor of a garment unit at a private plaza in Johar Town area near Allah Hu Chowk in Lahore. One person was also injured due to the flames.
The smoke from the fire filled all offices and shops on the third floor. The smoke and fire were so intense that labourers working in the hosiery unit on the third floor of the factory were trapped and could not get a chance to escape from the raging flames.
More than a dozen vehicles of the fire brigade took part in the rescue operation. The flames were extinguished by the rescue personnel after hours of hectic efforts.
According to reports, officials rescued 3 people from the inferno while 3 dead bodies were also recovered from the site and were shifted to Jinnah Hospital. Two severely injured individuals however succumbed to their wounds.