Rescue teams report no casualties; attribute cause of fire to short circuit in machinery
Rescue 1122 vans being used to
hose down a
construction factory. PHOTO EXPRESS
RAWALPINDI:
The severe fire that broke out in a textile factory and warehouse located in Rawat Industrial Estate has been brought under control after a long and continuous firefighting operation.
Sources have revealed that the fire broke out due to a short circuit in the motor of an electric machine in a part of the factory where a large quantity of clothes, blankets, polyester fib0re used to make plastic bottles as well as a large stock of ready-to-eat crackers and chips were stored.
According to District Emergency Officer and Rescue 1122 Firefighting Operation Commander Sibghatullah and Rawalpindi Rescue 1122 Spokesperson Usman Gujar, the firefighting operation continued for 16 hours, which was followed by a cooling operation of about 8 hours so that the risk of a possible re-fire could be eliminated.
The cause of the fire has also been revealed. The factory management has said that the fire broke out due to a short circuit in the motor of an electric machine installed in the rear part of the factory. The fire intensified and spread rapidly as it caught onto polyester fibre and other flammable materials stocked in large quantities in the area.
The polyester products, including blankets, prayer mats and shoes were stored in the front and other parts of the factory. According to rescue officials, the ground floor of the factory covered an area of eight kanals, one part of which was at the same level as the road while the other part was built in the form of a basement below the road, which made the rescue operation more difficult.
The fire had broken out at 4pm on Monday. It was brought under control with the help of 21 Rescue 1122 vehicles and more than 80 rescuers, including those from other relief organisations, after 16 to 20 hours-long operation. Around 30 water bowsers were arranged with the cooperation of WASA and other organisations as foam mixed with water was used to control the fire. More than 400,000 liters of water and foam were consumed in the operation.
According to rescue officials, no casualties were reported in the incident, however, the goods and equipment in the factory suffered heavy damage. Due to the intensity fire, cracks have appeared in the walls of the building; however, District Emergency Officer Sibghatullah said that the building is built on structural pillars, and the main structure of the building is safe.
