28 shops gutted in New Anarkali plaza fire

LAHORE: At least 28 shops were gutted and valuables worth billions of rupees were reduced to ashes in a fire in Muhafiz Plaza New Anarkali on Monday.

Fire brigade and Rescue 1122 took over eight hours to extinguish the fire. Eight fire vehicles took part in the rescue operation. The fire broke out early in the morning in the basement of the plaza.

The market was empty at that time. Seeing flames and heavy clouds from the building, nearby people called the rescue teams who reached the spot and started the operation.There were garments and other embroidery material in the plaza that is an inflammable material. The fire initially erupted in basement of the plaza, spread to the ground floor and gutted the shops.

On information about the incident, workers and owners of the shops rushed to the spot. Many of them were crying on seeing their valuables being burnt to ashes in front of their eyes. They got infuriated and exchanged harsh words with rescue teams for failing to save their valuables. Police teams deployed on the spot controlled the situation.

Rescue officials said the cause of the fire will be ascertained after thorough inquiry. According to eye-witnesses and initial investigations, the fire erupted due to short circuit.A few weeks ago, at least 80 shops were gutted when a fire had broken out in a plaza in New Anarkali near Urdu Bazaar. Two years ago, 13 people had lost their lives when a fire had broken out in a plaza of wrist watches and wall clocks in Anarkali.