RAWALPINDI: Over two dozen shops were gutted in a fire that erupted in a model bazaar along Peshawar Road on Tuesday.

However, no injury was reported in the fire, which was brought under control by firefighters after several hours.

Quoting witnesses, the fire department said the fire erupted in a shop where welding work was going on, which then spread to the adjoining shops selling old clothes and other items at about 1pm.

After the Rescue Services 1122 was informed, fire engines and ambulances were sent to the scene. A total of 13 rescue vehicles and two ambulances took part in the firefighting operation.

The rescue services categorised the fire in ‘A’ degree which took more than three hours to control. However the makeshift shops were completely burnt, with the loss estimated at Rs2.8 million.

According to a fire department official, 26 shops were totally destroyed.

The Rescue Services 1122, in a statement, urged people to take extra precautions when using gas heaters during winter as they might cause an accident if used carelessly.

Published in Dawn, November 24th, 2021