Quetta: A major fire broke out at a private commercial plaza located on Prince Road in Quetta, resulting in extensive damage to dozens of shops. The incident caused panic in the busy commercial area as flames quickly spread through the building, destroying valuable goods and infrastructure before firefighters were able to bring the blaze under control.
According to rescue officials, the fire erupted at the private plaza on Prince Road and rapidly intensified, engulfing multiple shops within a short span of time. Firefighting teams responded promptly to the emergency, and after hours of continuous efforts, the blaze was eventually brought under control. However, even after extinguishing the flames, cooling operations remained underway to prevent the fire from reigniting.
Rescue authorities confirmed that dozens of shops were completely burned in the incident. The affected plaza housed a variety of businesses, including computer shops, mobile phone outlets, and garment stores. As a result, traders suffered heavy financial losses, with expensive electronic equipment, clothing stock, and shop interiors reduced to ashes.
To tackle the fire, six fire brigade vehicles and four vehicles from the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) were deployed at the site. Rescue officials stated that coordinated efforts between the fire brigade and PDMA played a crucial role in preventing the fire from spreading to nearby buildings. Fire balls and other modern firefighting techniques were used to suppress the flames and control the situation more effectively.
Despite the large scale of the fire, rescue officials reported that no casualties were recorded, which they described as a relief considering the severity of the incident and the densely populated nature of the commercial area. However, the incident caused significant disruption to traffic and business activity on Prince Road, as authorities cordoned off the area to facilitate firefighting and rescue operations.
The Chief Fire Officer, while briefing the media, stated that preliminary investigations suggest the fire was caused by a short circuit. He explained that faulty electrical wiring or an electrical malfunction within the plaza likely triggered the blaze. The situation worsened when the fire spread to a nearby electricity transformer and overhead power lines, creating additional hazards and making firefighting efforts more challenging.
“The fire had also engulfed the nearby power transformer and electric cables, which increased the intensity of the blaze and delayed our efforts to bring it under control,” the Chief Fire Officer said. He added that sparks from the electrical infrastructure and continuous power supply initially made it difficult for firefighters to approach certain sections of the building safely.
Eyewitnesses said that thick smoke billowed from the plaza, visible from a considerable distance, while shopkeepers rushed to save whatever goods they could before the fire spread further. Many traders were seen standing helplessly outside the plaza, watching their livelihoods being destroyed by the flames.
Local shopkeepers have demanded that authorities conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and take concrete steps to improve fire safety standards in commercial buildings. They said that many plazas in Quetta lack proper firefighting equipment, emergency exits, and regular electrical inspections, making them highly vulnerable to such incidents.
Officials from the electricity department were also called to the scene to disconnect the power supply and assess damage to the transformer and electrical lines. Restoration work is expected to take time, as the fire caused serious damage to electrical infrastructure in the area.
The district administration has assured affected traders that an assessment of losses will be conducted and that further action will be taken based on the investigation report. Authorities have also urged owners of commercial buildings to ensure proper electrical maintenance and install adequate fire safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As cooling operations continue, the incident once again highlights the urgent need for stricter enforcement of fire safety regulations in commercial centers across Quetta. Frequent short-circuit-related fires in markets and plazas have raised serious concerns about outdated electrical systems and the lack of preventive safety mechanisms.
