NAROWAL: Goods worth Rs1 billion were gutted by fire in a leather factory here on Tuesday on Aimanabad Road in Sialkot.

Reports said a fire broke out in the leather factory of Haji Muhammad Afzal due to a short circuit.

Sialkot District Emergency Officer Engineer Naveed Iqbal along with vehicles and personnel reached the spot.

He called fire tenders from all rescue points of Sialkot district to control the blaze. Owing to strong winds, the fire in the leather factory flared up.

The fire engulfed the six-storey building on five kanals of land.

Gujranwala Regional Rescue Emergency Officer Syed Kamal Abid also reached the spot after receipt of information. More vehicles were called from Gujranwala and Gujrat.

Rescue 1122 firefighters controlled the fire after 16-hour operation.

Naveed Iqbal said 22 fire vehicles, two aerial platforms, rescue vehicles and ambulances participated in the operation.

He said leather shoes, jackets, gloves and other products were being manufactured in the factory.

The district emergency officer said the products were meant for export to the UAE and European countries.

Naveed Iqbal said according to owner Muhammad Afzal, goods worth Rs1 billion were reduced to ashes.

The fire erupted in the leather factory on Monday at 8 am and after continuous rescue operations, it was brought under control at 2 am on Tuesday morning.

Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2022

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
Updated 29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

It is clear that going after militant groups inside Afghanistan unilaterally presents its own set of difficulties.
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...