Massive factory fire near Rawalpindi brought under control

• Officials say no casualties reported, cooling process underway.
• Chemicals inside make firefighting operation highly challenging.
• Rescue teams restrict access around area as precaution.
  

RAWALPINDI: A major fire that erupted at a factory in the Rawat Industrial Area near Rawalpindi was brought under control after hours of intense firefighting, while cooling operations are currently underway, rescue officials said on Tuesday.

According to Rescue authorities, the blaze broke out at an industrial unit in Rawat, triggering an immediate emergency response. Firefighters launched a large-scale operation, deploying up to 19 fire tenders to contain the flames.

As the intensity of the fire increased, additional vehicles from the fire brigade were called in to support the operation. Rescue officials said the firefighting effort continued for more than 16 hours, with emergency crews using water mixed with foam to suppress the blaze.

Officials confirmed that the fire has now been controlled, and cooling activities are ongoing to prevent any re-ignition. No immediate reports of casualties were received, while the cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

The presence of large quantities of chemicals and other flammable materials inside the factory had made the operation particularly challenging for firefighters.

Authorities warned that the prolonged raging blaze has weakened the structure of the premises, raising fears that parts of it could collapse anytime. As a precaution, rescue teams restricted access to the immediate area.

Despite the scale of the incident, no casualties have been reported so far. The Deputy Commissioner of Rawalpindi said emergency teams were dispatched as soon as they received the report of the outbreak, which helped prevent the loss of life.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Officials said an investigation would be launched once the situation is fully under control.

The Rawat incident comes amid growing concern over the fire safety situation across Pakistan’s major cities, particularly Karachi, where a series of recent blazes has highlighted persistent gaps in safety standards and emergency preparedness.

Memories of the deadly Gul Plaza fire still loom large in Karachi. Yet fires continue to occur with alarming frequency. In January alone, Karachi reported 225 fire incidents, according to figures cited by The News, resulting in widespread damage, injuries, and loss of life.

The trend has continued into February, with more than 20 fire incidents reported in the first five days of the month, underlining the city’s ongoing vulnerability. On a single day last Thursday, fires were reported at six different locations across Karachi. While no human casualties were recorded in those incidents, two animals — a cow and a buffalo — sustained burn injuries.

The deadliest of the recent fires occurred on January 17, when a massive blaze at Gul Plaza claimed 79 lives, including women and children, and left at least 22 others injured, according to official figures.