LAHORE: An electrical short circuit in Al Fateh, a department store behind Lahore's Liberty Market, on Monday turned into a blaze.
The fire continues to rage eight hours after emergency services reached the location. Thick smoke has engulfed the area. According to the District Coordination Officer Lahore, 114 people have been evacuated.
No loss of life was reported, but at least six ─ including four rescuers ─ have sustained minor injuries due to broken glass at the scene.
The fire started when a short-circuit occurred on the first floor and spread to the second, third and fourth floors of the four-storey building.
The fire has been controlled on the ground and first floors, but is still raging uncontrollably on the third and fourth floors because of thick smoke and inaccessibility of the store as well as the intensity of the fire.
Members of Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) and Rescue 1122 personnel are trying to put out the fire but they face challenges as the doors are said to be locked from inside.
There are at least 18 firefighting vehicles on location, but firefighters are still struggling to put out the fire. The presence of oil within the department store contributed to the spread of the fire and is making it difficult to extinguish.
Rescue personnel said it may take up to three hours to put out the oil-based fire. Rescue teams are using chemicals in an attempt to extinguish the blaze.
Despite the fire sprinkler system installed inside the store, the fire couldn't be detected until prominent damage was done.
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