ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): A fire broke out in Islamabad’s H9 Sunday Bazaar, burning down 335 shops and stalls.
According to rescue officials, the intensity of the fire increased due to the explosion of batteries in the shops, and the fire broke out due to a short circuit.
Rescue teams have brought the fire under control after several hours, and the cooling process is underway.
Rescue officials say that 335 shops in the H9 Sunday Bazaar were affected by the fire.
Earlier, in a media statement, the district administration said that 80 percent of the fire had been brought under control.
The fire broke out in nine sections of the bazaar, seven of which have been controlled, officials said, adding that fire extinguishing is underway in the remaining two sections.
The administration said that rescue personnel and four fire brigade vehicles were busy extinguishing the fire, adding that 10 additional fire vehicles had been called from Rawalpindi.
“Rescue 1122 Rawalpindi teams are also participating in the relief activities,” it said.
The rescue official said that the fire broke out in a clothing stall, and the cause of the fire is being determined. “No casualties were reported due to the fire.”
The administration added that as soon as the fire was reported, the concerned Assistant Commissioner I-9 immediately reached the spot.
The administration confirmed that daily operations are underway in the market regarding LPG cylinders, as a complete ban has been imposed on their use in the markets.
“Nine shopkeepers were also arrested yesterday for using LPG cylinders,” officials said
