TOBA TEK SINGH: The Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) Faisalabad general manager and 12 others, including six officials, have been booked by Samanabad police for their alleged negligence resulting in the death of three persons in a house fire incident caused by gas leakage blast and critical burns to four others, all belonging to the same extended family.

The police took the action after the death toll rose to three in the house fire incident occurring on Aug 5 in Masoodabad locality of Faisalabad, located on on Nawabanwala Road. As per reports, a Qul ceremony was going on in the house when the fire erupted.

Following the three deaths, scores of relatives of the deceased persons had blocked the road outside Allied Hospital, Faisalabad, for traffic on Tuesday last, in protest against, what they called, negligence of the SNGPL officials concerned, resulting in the fire incident.

The protesters demanded registration of a murder case against the SNGPL officials.

In the FIR registered under Section 322 of the Pakistan Penal Code by Samanabad police, complainant Zain said his wife and two relatives died after suffering critical burns, while his minor son and three others were also on “death bed” in the hospital.

He alleged that a new gas pipeline was laid in front of their house by the SNGPL, that was leaking, claiming that he informed the contractor and the gas company officials about the leakage and the gas smell emanating from the spot.

He alleged that despite being warned of any accident causing blast and fire due to the leakage, the contractor as well as SNGPL officials went away without rechecking the pipeline.

As a result, he said, the gas accumulated in their outer room and after a blast, fire erupted in their house, leaving seven persons with critical burns. Of them, three later succumbed to their burns in the hospital, he added.

Those booked included the SNGPL Faisalabad GM, deputy chief (development) Mian Nadeem, senior engineer Zaheer, sub engineer Gulfraz, SNGPL employee Malik Shahbaz, contractors Shahid and Taimoor.

No arrest has so far been made.

Published in Dawn, August 13th, 2026