A fire that broke out at a foam factory in the Rovat Industrial Area of Rawalpindi remains out of control even after five hours, ARY News reported. Firefighting teams are struggling to contain the blaze, which has spread to the upper floors and adjoining sections of the building.
Officials said explosions from cylinders and other materials inside the factory have added to the danger, making containment more difficult. Factory workers joined firefighters in the operation while authorities coordinated additional resources to manage the situation.
More than 45 rescue personnel and 13 emergency vehicles are currently involved. Assistance has been requested from Bahria Fire Service, Islamabad Fire Service, and WASA Rawalpindi. Staff inside the factory are being evacuated as firefighters continue their efforts.
Officials warned that chemicals stored inside the facility have accelerated the fire’s spread. Authorities said response to such disasters remains a challenge in Pakistan due to limited equipment, inadequate training, and weak enforcement of safety regulations.
The foam factory fire in Rawalpindi highlights ongoing safety concerns, as similar incidents have caused significant losses elsewhere in the country. Karachi, for example, reported 225 fire incidents in January alone. The most severe fire occurred at Gul Plaza, described as the largest and most dangerous blaze of the month.
According to the Karachi Fire Brigade, 83 people lost their lives in fire-related incidents across the city, including two children and eight women. In addition, 24 people, including a child, sustained injuries. Central Karachi recorded the highest number of incidents with 30 fires, followed by Saddar and Sohrab Goth, which each reported 18 cases.
Other localities also faced multiple fire incidents: Nazimabad 13, Lyari nine, SITE industrial area 11, Korangi nine, Landhi three, Orangi Town eight, Shah Faisal Colony eight, Manzoor Colony 14, and New Karachi 13.
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The ongoing RAWALPINDI: foam factory fire and frequent fire incidents in Karachi emphasize the urgent need for improved disaster management, stronger safety laws, and better-equipped firefighting teams across Pakistan.
