QUETTA: A series of fire incidents destroyed more than 65 homes in different areas, officials said on Saturday.

While causes for the blaze were being ascertained, a few of them were caused by short circuits.

The most devastating incident occurred in Goth Mehboob Khoso near Sohbatpur, where a fire reportedly triggered by an electrical short circuit spread rapidly through the village.

According to the local administration, around 50 houses were completely burnt down. The affected families have been left without shelter and are currently living under the open sky amid intense summer heat, with many awaiting relief and help from authorities.

Several fire incidents were recorded in Dera Murad Jamali and Usta Muhammad.

In Goth Khoso Bedar near Dera Murad Jamali, three houses were reduced to ashes after a fire broke out. In Usta Muhammad, a house belonging to Daulat Ali Umrani was destroyed when a sudden fire engulfed the building. Another blaze in Goth Samandar destroyed five houses.

Meanwhile, in Quetta’s Manzoor Shaheed police station area, a shopkeeper was killed after unidentified suspects set his shop ablaze. Police identified the victim as Kifayatullah, a resident of Sanni, who suffered fatal burn injuries in the incident.

Published in Dawn, May 31th, 2026