- With no loss of human life, incident causes over Rs 100 million monetary loss
- A four-member inquiry committee formed to investigate, submit report to mayor
ISLAMABAD: In a second accident of its kind within a year, the fire engulfed around 500 stalls and shops set up at two nearby sections of the Weekly Bazaar set up by the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) near Peshawar Morr here on Wednesday.
Dense fumes of black smoke towered the sky as fire erupted at the temporary market, offering used clothes on cheap rates. According to initial estimates, the incident caused monetary loss of over 100 million rupees. No loss of life has been reported so far.
It took four hours by the district administration along with the fire brigade and the CDA (Capital Development Authority) staff to control the fire. According to a CDA spokesperson, the authority came to know about the fire on 12.57pm after which the fire brigade vehicles reached the location within the next five minutes.
About 10 water tankers along with 150 firefighters took part in the rescue operation and controlled the fire successfully. MCI Chief Metropolitan Officer (CMO) Najaf Bukhari formed a four-member inquiry committee – comprising of director for the Emergency and Emergency Management, deputy director for the Emergency and Disaster Management, assistant manager for the Fire Operations – to submit their report to CDA Chairman Mayor Sheikh Anser Aziz.
Last year in August, the same section where Landa Bazaar shops are located selling old clothes and shoes had a blaze. As a result, scores of stalls were reduced to ashes with over Rs 200 million financial damage. This time around the fire happened on Wednesday, a particularly less hectic day than Friday and Sunday, and engulfed hundreds of the stalls in a bazaar where total 2750 stalls are located.
Built back in 2007 at a cost of Rs 160 million, the H-8 bazaar is largest of its nature in Islamabad and spans over an area of 10 acres and multiple sections where fruits, vegetables, household items of the daily use, old imported clothes and shoes, electronics and other items are on sale. The bazaar opens on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
It is pertinent to mention here that the inquiry report of the fire that engulfed the market in August 2017 still hasn’t surfaced. Sources at the Directorate of Municipal Administration, on condition of anonymity, told Pakistan Today that the license holders of the stalls were not permitted to keep their merchandise overnight at their allotted stalls and have to take their stuff back.
Due to negligence of the staff and collusion with the stall owners, the authorities turn a blind eye towards merchandise staying at the stalls overnight. The owners protested and blocked the nearby road. After recording their protests, the owners dispersed when the district administration negotiated with them and gave them assurances.