Islamabad Press Information Dept building fire put out after two hours

Published October 24, 2018
Firefighters come out from the PID building following a fire in Islamabad. —AFP
Firefighters come out from the PID building following a fire in Islamabad. —AFP
Fire dept used eight fire hydrants to douse the blaze. —APP
Fire dept used eight fire hydrants to douse the blaze. —APP
Fire dept used eight fire hydrants to douse the blaze. —APP
Fire dept used eight fire hydrants to douse the blaze. —APP

Firefighters on Wednesday put out a blaze that engulfed the Press Information Department (PID) offices in a building near Zero Point in Islamabad.

According to officials from the rescue department, it took eight fire hydrants and two hours to put the fire out after it started around 1.30pm.

The also said that the building was fully evacuated soon after the fire started and no casualties were reported. However, four people sporting minor injuries were sent to Polyclinic Hospital.

Smoke emitting after fire erupts in PID building. — APP
Smoke emitting after fire erupts in PID building. — APP

The building is owned by Benevolent Funds (BF) and also houses the offices of PID and the Director General of Federal Audit.

Upon visiting the site earlier in the day, Secretary of Information Shafqat Jaleel told the media that firefighters were trying to put the fire out. He did not comment on the number of records that may have been destroyed by the fire.

However, Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry told the media that the PID records are safe. "The electric system in the old building is outdated and that causes such incidents," he said.

The information minister also said that a committee has been made to ascertain the cause of the fire. A large contingent of army and Rangers personnel were also seen at the site once the fire was put out.

Opinion

Editorial

Rigging claims
Updated 04 May, 2024

Rigging claims

The PTI’s allegations are not new; most elections in Pakistan have been controversial, and it is almost a given that results will be challenged by the losing side.
Gaza’s wasteland
04 May, 2024

Gaza’s wasteland

SINCE the start of hostilities on Oct 7, Israel has put in ceaseless efforts to depopulate Gaza, and make the Strip...
Housing scams
04 May, 2024

Housing scams

THE story of illegal housing schemes in Punjab is the story of greed, corruption and plunder. Major players in these...
Under siege
Updated 03 May, 2024

Under siege

Whether through direct censorship, withholding advertising, harassment or violence, the press in Pakistan navigates a hazardous terrain.
Meddlesome ways
03 May, 2024

Meddlesome ways

AFTER this week’s proceedings in the so-called ‘meddling case’, it appears that the majority of judges...
Mass transit mess
03 May, 2024

Mass transit mess

THAT Karachi — one of the world’s largest megacities — does not have a mass transit system worth the name is ...