Burnt stalls at Islamabad’s H-9 Sunday bazaar paint a grim picture of fire safety arrangements. PHOTO: Raja Zafar/EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD:
Hundreds of stalls and their goods were reduced to ashes after a fire broke out at the H-9 Sunday bazaar in Islamabad.
Firefighters reached the spot and brought the fire under control, while shopkeepers termed the incident as a conspiracy.
According to details, the fire broke out suddenly between 10pm and 11pm on Tuesday at H-9 Sunday Bazaar near Peshawar Mor and quickly spread to various sections of the market.
Six Rescue 1122 fire vehicles continued to participate in the firefighting operations, while Pakistan Navy firefighters also participated in the rescue work. According to the district administration, the fire spread to a total of nine sections of the market.
Sources said more than 380 positions were affected by the fire, while an initial estimate of financial losses is being assessed. No loss of life was reported.
The affected traders said that government officials reached the spot very late and claimed that fires had become a recurring problem in the market.
Speaking to The Express PAkGazette, Abdul Rehman Khan, president of Section H traders’ association, alleged that the fire was not accidental but part of a conspiracy.
He said rescue agencies arrived at the scene too late, allowing the fire to spread widely.
