RAWALPINDI: 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.
According to reports, firefighting teams continue to battle the blaze, but explosions from cylinders and firefighting equipment have been reported, adding to the danger.
The fire initially erupted inside the facility and spread to the upper floors and adjoining sections of the building. Factory workers also assisted in the firefighting operation while authorities coordinated additional resources.
More than 45 rescue personnel and 13 emergency vehicles are engaged in the operation. Assistance has also been sought from Bahria Fire Service, Islamabad Fire Service, and WASA Rawalpindi. Staff inside the factory are being evacuated as firefighters work to contain the blaze.
Officials warned that chemicals stored inside the facility have accelerated the fire’s spread, making containment efforts more challenging. Rescue and firefighting operations are ongoing as authorities strive to bring the situation under control.
Response to disasters remains a crucial challenge in Pakistan, as concerned departments are often poorly equipped, inadequately trained, or both. A lack of firefighting equipment and weak enforcement of safety laws appear to be a persistent problem.
Karachi Reports 225 Fire Incidents In January
At least 225 fire incidents were reported in the provincial capital of Sindh during the first month of the year.
Officials said the most severe and devastating blaze in Karachi occurred at Gul Plaza, describing it as the largest and most dangerous fire incident recorded during the period.
The Fire Brigade report noted that, overall, 83 people lost their lives in fire-related incidents across the city, including two children and eight women. In addition, 24 individuals, among them a child, sustained injuries in separate incidents in the metropolis.
District-wise data showed that Karachi’s Central district recorded the highest number of incidents, with 30 fires reported. In the Saddar area, 18 fire incidents were registered, while another 18 cases were reported within the jurisdictions of Sohrab Goth and Gulistan-e-Mustafa fire stations in Karachi.
Other localities in the city also saw multiple incidents: Nazimabad reported 13 fires, Lyari nine, and the SITE industrial area 11. Korangi recorded nine incidents, while Landhi reported three, according to the Fire Brigade department.
Orangi Town and Shah Faisal Colony each witnessed eight incidents, while 14 fires were reported in Manzoor Colony. Meanwhile, the New Karachi Fire Station jurisdiction accounted for 13 incidents.