A fire broke out early Thursday in the basement of Hafeez Center, one of Lahore’s busiest commercial plazas located in the Gulberg area. The incident triggered panic among shopkeepers and raised fresh concerns over the building’s long-standing fire safety issues.
According to Rescue 1122 officials, the fire originated in the basement and filled the multi-storey building with thick smoke. Hafeez Center is home to hundreds of electronics shops and offices, making it a high-risk zone during emergencies.
Rescue teams and fire brigades reached the scene quickly. Evacuation operations began immediately, and the fire was brought under control after intense efforts. Fortunately, no casualties were reported as of the latest updates.
Preliminary investigations suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault. Experts point to exposed wiring and the absence of routine safety inspections as likely causes. Witnesses described chaotic scenes as people rushed to escape while black smoke spread rapidly.
This is not the first fire incident at Hafeez Center. In 2020, a massive blaze caused severe financial losses and exposed serious gaps in safety protocols. Despite that tragedy, the plaza was reopened without implementing all the recommended fire prevention upgrades.
Sources claim the building continues to operate without essential fire safety clearances. Safety officials warn this latest fire reflects a broader failure to enforce building regulations across Lahore’s commercial zones.
The incident also reignited criticism of a recent decision by Governor Punjab to allow previously fire-damaged buildings to resume operations without full safety reviews. Experts argue that such decisions put lives and property at risk.
Thursday’s fire at Hafeez Center serves as another wake-up call for authorities to prioritize building safety, enforce fire codes, and prevent future disasters through proper inspections and enforcement.
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