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Massive Factory Fire Near Rawalpindi Brought Under Control After 16-Hour Battle

A massive fire at an industrial unit in the Rawat area near Rawalpindi has been brought under control after a firefighting operation lasting over 16 hours. Rescue officials deployed at least 19 fire tenders, using water and foam to combat the blaze fueled by chemicals and flammable materials. Authorities warn the fire has weakened the building's structure, raising collapse fears, though no casualties have been reported. The incident renews concerns about fire safety in Pakistani cities, following a recent deadly mall fire in Karachi.

Key Points: Rawalpindi Industrial Fire Contained After 16-Hour Fight

  • Fire erupted at Rawat Industrial Area unit
  • 19+ fire tenders deployed for 16+ hours
  • Chemicals and flammables hampered firefighting
  • Structure weakened, risk of collapse
  • No casualties reported, cause under investigation
2 min read

Pakistan: Massive fire at industrial unit brought under control near Rawalpindi

A major fire at a Rawat industrial unit near Rawalpindi is under control after 16+ hours. 19 fire tenders battled chemicals and structural risks. No casualties reported.

"Large quantities of chemicals and other flammable materials... made the operation particularly challenging - GeoTV"

Rawalpindi, February 10

A massive fire erupted at a factory in the Rawat Industrial Area near Rawalpindi, which was brought under control after hours of firefighting, with cooling operations are still underway, rescue officials said on Tuesday, as reported by GeoTV.

According to GeoTV, citing the rescue authorities, it said that the fire broke out at an industrial unit in Rawat. Upto 19 fire tenders were deployed to contain the blaze. Additional vehicles from the fire brigade were called in to support the operation as the firefighting continued for more than 16 hours, with emergency crews using water mixed with foam to suppress the blaze.

Large quantities of chemicals and other flammable materials inside the factory had made the operation particularly challenging for firefighters, GeoTV said.

Authorities have warned that the prolonged raging blaze has weakened the structure of the premises, thereby raising fears that parts of it could collapse at any time.

According to the officials, while the cause of the fire is yet to be determined, no immediate reports of casualties were received, and cooling activities are ongoing to prevent any re-ignition. They said that an investigation would be launched once the situation is fully under control, GeoTV further mentioned.

The Rawat fire incident comes amid growing concern about fire safety in Pakistan's major cities.

Recently, the deadly Gul Plaza Fire in Karach,i which erupted on the night of January 17, took nearly two days to be fully extinguished and left the ground-plus-three-storey building in ruins, with several sections collapsing, according to Dawn.

Four prosecution witnesses, including a teenage boy, recorded their statements before a judicial magistrate, stating that the deadly fire at Gul Plaza Shopping Mall originated from an artificial flower shop located on the ground floor, Dawn reported.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
19 fire tenders and 16 hours... that must have been a terrifying blaze. It's a relief to hear no lives were lost. The firefighters there deserve immense credit for tackling it, especially with all those chemicals involved.
V
Vikram M
This is the second major fire incident in Pakistan in recent weeks. It highlights a systemic issue with enforcement of safety norms. While we sympathize with the situation, it's also a stark reminder for our own municipal corporations in India to be more vigilant.
P
Priya S
Chemicals and flammable materials stored improperly are a recipe for disaster anywhere. Hope the investigation finds the root cause. Lives of workers and firefighters should never be put at risk due to negligence.
R
Rohit P
No casualties is the biggest positive here. But the economic loss for that industrial unit and the workers' livelihoods will be huge. Disaster management and faster response protocols are crucial for all our neighbouring countries in the region.
M
Michael C
The article mentions the structure is weakened and could collapse. The cooling operations are critical. I hope the local authorities are keeping people at a safe distance. These post-fire phases can be just as dangerous.

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