October 11, 2001	Thursday	Rajab 23, 1422

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RAWALPINDI, Oct 10: A huge fire gutted two offices in the  General Headquarters on Wednesday, although fire fighters tried for over four hours to control the blaze, the fire department said.

The fire, believed to have been caused by a short-circuit, erupted in an office at about 3.30am and soon engulfed another. The offices housed military training and budget sections. “ Their roofs collapsed but nobody was injured,” an official of the department said.

Flames and billowing smoke were seen miles away.

More than 50 fire engines took part in fighting the blaze. Later, fire tenders from the GHQ and COD were also called.   Soldiers had cordoned off the GHQ, according to an eyewitness.

Panic gripped the people when they heard sirens of fire engines. Some women ran up Rescue 15 to know what was happening, a   police official said.

An investigation had been launched to determine the cause of the fire, said a source.

Meanwhile, a press release issued by the ISPR Directorate said:” A fire broke out due to short circuiting in a paper and stationery store in the premises of GHQ here around 4 am today.

“ The wooden structure of a nearby building also caught fire, causing damage to office items including furniture. The duty officers and staff immediately took necessary measures  to bring the fire under control. Fire-engines reached the site and extinguished the fire. Normal routine work in GHQ commenced on time.”