Islamabad: A major fire broke out at the H-9 Sunday Bazaar in Islamabad, destroying 335 shops and stalls and causing significant property damage, according to rescue officials.
The blaze erupted in the popular marketplace and quickly spread across a large section of the bazaar, prompting an extensive emergency response from rescue and firefighting teams. Thick smoke and flames engulfed numerous stalls as firefighters worked for several hours to bring the situation under control.
According to rescue authorities, the fire was initially caused by a short circuit. The intensity of the blaze increased when batteries stored in several shops exploded, allowing the flames to spread rapidly from one area to another.
Officials said the presence of flammable materials and closely packed stalls further complicated firefighting operations and contributed to the scale of the damage.
Emergency teams rushed to the scene immediately after receiving reports of the fire. Multiple firefighting units participated in the operation, using water tankers and specialized equipment to prevent the flames from spreading to nearby sections of the market.
After several hours of continuous efforts, rescue personnel successfully brought the fire under control. Authorities confirmed that firefighting operations had concluded and that a cooling process was underway to eliminate any remaining hotspots and prevent the fire from reigniting.
Rescue officials reported that 335 shops and stalls were affected by the incident. The exact financial losses have not yet been determined, but the destruction is expected to have a significant impact on traders and vendors who operated in the market.
Despite the scale of the fire, authorities stated that no loss of life or injuries have been reported so far. Rescue teams conducted thorough searches of the affected area to ensure that no individuals were trapped inside the damaged structures.
The H-9 Sunday Bazaar is one of Islamabad’s largest and busiest markets, attracting thousands of shoppers every week. The market hosts a wide variety of businesses, including clothing, household goods, electronics, food items, and other consumer products.
Following the incident, officials are expected to launch a detailed investigation to determine the precise cause of the fire and assess whether safety regulations were being properly followed. Authorities may also review existing fire prevention measures and infrastructure to reduce the risk of similar incidents in the future.
Meanwhile, affected shopkeepers have begun assessing the damage to their businesses. Many traders expressed concern over the losses suffered as a result of the fire and called for assistance and compensation to help them recover.
Government and market authorities are likely to conduct a comprehensive survey of the affected stalls and shops in the coming days to estimate losses and determine what support can be provided to those impacted by the disaster.
The incident has once again highlighted the importance of fire safety measures in large public markets, particularly in areas where electrical equipment, batteries, and other potentially hazardous materials are stored in close proximity.
As cooling operations continue, authorities have urged the public to avoid the affected section of the bazaar until safety inspections are completed and the area is declared secure.
About The Author
