LAHORE: A chemicals warehouse was gutted after a massive fire broke out in its godown in an industrial area on Multan Road on Friday, causing a loss of millions of rupees. However, no loss of life was reported.

At the time of filing this report at 12.30am, the firefighters were still struggling to control the fire. Rescue 1122 sources said 70 per cent of the blaze had been controlled. They said the storage of a huge number of drums containing inflammable material was making their task difficult.

Several houses were evacuated as a precautionary measure immediately after the godown at Kharak Stop caught fire at about 2pm. The two-kanal godown was owned by Naeem Sheikh where at least 50 labourers were at work. The owner went missing to escape action.

Firefighters of the City District Government Lahore, personnel of the Rescue-1122 and Edhi and other ambulances reached the spot and launched the rescue operation.

The firefighters not only rescued all labourers but also evacuated more than 25 residents. Rescue teams got vacated nearby houses to save them from the inferno which could be brought under control after several hours.

Some firefighters were also deputed at adjacent houses to keep them safe from the fire. However, the fire slightly damaged the wall of adjacent Dawa Model School and an adjoining house, but no major damage was reported.

All the 20 fire extinguishing vehicles of Rescue 1122 and 10 vehicles of the City Fire Brigade took part in the operation.

On the request of Lahore Commissioner Khusro Pervez, the Parks and Horticulture Authority also dispatched its eight water-carrying vehicles to help firefighters. The fire was so intense that firefighting vehicles of the Civil Aviation Authority and the civil defence personnel were also called out.

Rescue 1122 spokesperson Fahim Jahanzeb said although the godown was totally damaged, they succeeded in saving nearby houses from being burnt.

The Multan Road remained blocked due to the rescue operation and presence of a large number of people. Heavy smoke billowing from the warehouse engulfed most of the city area.