TOBA TEK SINGH: Seven members of a family, including four children, were burnt alive, while four others suffered critical burns when a fire broke out in a plaza located in Faisalabad’s Montgomery Bazaar near Clock Tower on Friday.

It is being suspected that the fire broke out due to electricity short circuit or gas leakage.

Some traders, who had shops in Masha Allah plaza, told Rescue 1122 staff that the victims were residing on the upper storey of the plaza.

Rescue 1122 staffers said the victims were identified as Abdul Sattar (60), his sons Umer Farooq (40) and Farhan (32) and three grandchildren – Yousaf (11), Bilal (4), Anoshey (12) and their cousin, Muavia.

They said the four injured – Sumayya (10), Hamza (7), Noor Fatima (7) and Razia Sarfraz (70). -- were shifted to the burns unit of the Allied Hospital, Faisalabad.

Rescue 1122 media coordinator claimed while talking to reporters that “timely operation” by rescuers saved the lives of 20 persons. Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi in a statement offered condolences over the deaths and sought a report on the incident from commissioner.

Deputy Commissioner Imran Hamid Sheikh visited the scene of fire and ordered an inquiry into the incident. He ordered the officials concerned to ensure availability of fire safety equipment in all multi-storey buildings and directed Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (Fesco) to properly cover the electricity wires in the markets.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2022