- CM announces Rs 500,000 compensation for each victim, directs probe committee to submit report within 24 hours
- Lahore markets to remain shut today
As many as 13 people, including a woman and child, were killed and several others were injured Monday when a fire broke out in KhalidPlaza, Al-Kareem Market of Urdu Bazar near Lohari Gate, Lahore apparently due to a short circuit.
More casualties are feared as fire fighters of Rescue 1122 and the fire brigade were busy in rescue operation till the filing of this report.
Per details, the fire broke out at 5:30 pm in the evening and intensified within minutes.
According to Rescue 1122 spokesperson Jam Sajjad Hussain, the operation was underway and the real cause of the fire could only be ascertained once the blaze was put out. He added that 16 firefighting vehicles and around 80 firefighters were trying to overcome the blaze while 25 ambulances were present to take the dead and injured to hospital.
“More casualties are feared since we have not managed to overcome the fire completely as yet,” said Hussain, adding that the building has only one entry and exit point.
District Coordination Officer Captain (r) Muhammad Usman said that the fire broke out due to short-circuit.
RESCUE PROBLEMS:
Speaking to Pakistan Today, a firefighter said that they could not predict how many people were still inside the building.
Rescue services and fire brigade officials were also facing problems owing to low visibility and narrow streets and the large crowd gathered at the scene. Moreover, it was learnt that the fire brigades were unable to reach the site on time as they were stuck in the traffic.
SuperintendentPoliceCity Asad Sarfraz Khan said he had to use a loud speaker on multiple occasions to ask the gathered crowd to clear the area outside the affected building so that the rescue workers could work unhindered.
DEAD AND INJURED:
Talking to Pakistan Today, a shopkeeper of the market said that Waleed bin Atiq, the son of the Al Kareem market union’s president was among the dead.
Meanwhile, Mayo Hospital Medical Superintendent (MS) Dr Amjad Shahzad confirmed that 9 bodies, including that of a woman, and several injured were shifted to the hospital. Few of the injured later succumbed to their injuries, he added.
“Initial examination of the dead showed that most had died of suffocation, while some had also suffered burns,” said the MS.
One of the injured Mazhar Afzal, who suffered 15 percent burn injuries was discharged after treatment.
The dead were identified by their relatives as Syed Sheraz Ali, Sanaullah, Ateequr Rehman, Nauman Javed, Waleed, Azam Ali, Muhammad Azam, Haji Ijaz, Iqbal, Wali and Syed Mazhar.
All 13 bodies have been handed over to the heirs.
CM ORDERS PROBE COMMITTEE:
In the meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has taken notice of the fire and announced Rs 500,000 for each victim.
Shahbaz has also ordered the formation of a committee comprising Bilal Yasin, Pervaiz Malik, Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, Health Secretary Jawad Rafique Malik and others to submit the report of the incident within 24 hours.
“All the resources should be utilised in saving the lives of the people who are in KhalidPlaza and best treatment facilities should be provided to the injured people who are rescued,” said Punjab CM.
In light of the incident, all markets in Lahore will remain closed today (Tuesday).
Such incidents can be prevented very easily. Just look at Lahore's Ferozesons. It got burnt too. Health and Safety professionals' are moving around jobless these days.
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