KARACHI: A fire broke out at a restaurant on the Super Highway due to a gas cylinder explosion, spreading rapidly to a nearby timber market and engulfing 150 shops in flames.
According to the authorities, the fire, which originated from the restaurant, quickly spread to adjacent wooden shops and engulfed the entire market near Memon Mor.
Fortunately, no casualties or injuries were reported in the incident.
Rescue 1122 officials told that the fire erupted in the kitchen of Chakar Hotel when a gas cylinder exploded. The flames then spread to a nearby gas refilling shop, intensifying the blaze.
The fire rapidly reached stacks of wood and bushes outside the wooden shops, eventually consuming the entire market within minutes.
Authorities deployed eight fire tenders to the scene, and after several hours of intense efforts, the fire was brought under control.
Officials stated that they received the fire report at around 12:20 PM. Initially, two fire tenders and an ambulance were dispatched to the site. However, realizing the severity of the situation, four additional fire tenders, two water bowsers, and four ambulances were deployed to aid in firefighting efforts.
The fire was finally brought under control by 5:15 PM, but cooling operations continued late into the evening.
Officials said that the exact financial losses could not be determined immediately, but the damage is expected to be significant.
