The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has completed its initial investigation into the major fire at H-9 Bazaar in Islamabad. The report points to several safety violations and weak fire protection systems that made the incident worse.
The fire broke out on Tuesday night and caused heavy damage to the market. Nearly 370 shops were destroyed before the blaze was fully controlled.
According to the CDA report, firefighters reached the location within two minutes after receiving the emergency call at 9:53 PM. Rescue teams worked for more than three hours and managed to control the fire by 1:15 AM. Cooling operations continued the next day to stop the fire from starting again.
The firefighting operation involved 122 personnel, including eight senior officers. A total of 17 fire engines, 15 water bowsers, and seven ambulances took part in the operation. Teams from Rescue Rawalpindi, Cantonment Board Rawalpindi, the Pakistan Navy, and Bahria Town also supported the effort.
Three people were injured during the incident. One person was shifted to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), while two others were treated at the site.
The CDA report highlighted several challenges during the rescue operation. Officials said a large crowd created hurdles and slowed down emergency efforts. Some people reportedly mishandled firefighters and took away hosepipes during the operation.
The investigation also found that the market lacked nearby fire hydrants and proper fire points. This delayed firefighting and increased the damage.
Authorities also found several violations of fire safety rules. These included the use of tarpaulin sheets, storage of flammable materials inside shops, and illegal gas cylinders and stoves.
Following the findings, the CDA has recommended urgent steps to improve fire safety. These include installing proper fire safety systems and carrying out regular inspections in commercial markets.
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Officials say stricter enforcement of safety rules will help prevent similar incidents in the future.
