LAHORE – Nearly forty shops were destroyed as a major fire ravaged Hafeez Centre electronics market located in the city’s Gulberg Main Boulevard area on Sunday, an official said.
The fire was noticed by locals around 6:00 am and alerted the local administration. Shop owners alleged that fire tenders arrived late to the spot due to which the fire could spread further.
A number of officials reached the site, including Lahore Commissioner Zulfiqar Ghuman, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mudassir Riaz and Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Umar Sheikh.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/18-Oct-2020/fire-fighters-still-struggling-to-douse-flames-at-hafeez-centre
Eyewitnesses said the fire started on the second floor of the building but gradually travelled to the fourth floor. CCPO Sheikh Omer said 25 people had been rescued from the building so far and there were no reports of casualties so far.
Social media was horrified as flames engulfed the Hafeez Centre electronics market located in the city’s Gulberg Main Boulevard area on Sunday.
Chief Minister Usman Buzdar is reportedly in constant contact with the Commissioner Lahore Division and rescue officials to ascertain the situation.
Here is how social media reacted to the fire:
Hafeez Centre in #Lahore catches fire pic.twitter.com/fjx1ILFfuo
— Mansoor Ali Khan (@_Mansoor_Ali) October 18, 2020
It’s really hurts because they are not a big business men they are just Like us middle class businesses May Allah safe they lives and help all those who have lose there shops and businesses #HafeezCentre pic.twitter.com/BtyxUwgjmG
— Hashir Khan (@HashirK72101759) October 18, 2020
#HafeezCentre isn’t just a building It’s a Largest Lahore Based IT hub.
May Allah give sabr to shop owners for their hug losses????pic.twitter.com/F7eb4KRBy1— Momna Tahir (@momna_tahir) October 18, 2020
This 2020 is ???????? heartbreaking for a businessman to see his investments burning in front of him…????????????????#hafeezcenter#HafeezCentre pic.twitter.com/l8BYFQhvZc
— Hafiz Ali???????? (@Alisays424) October 18, 2020
Very sad news.
Irresponsible policy making by government and law enforcement agencies. Should not allow any high rise building without proper HSE regulation and insurance. Only Gov is entitled to enforce the law. pic.twitter.com/zdjxcHPG3y#HafeezCentre— Xerox (@Edisony7u) October 18, 2020
How difficult it is for a businessman to see their investment burning ???? like this Infront of their eyes while unable to do anything.. May Allah pak help everyone who’ve faced the loss ????!! #HafeezCentre pic.twitter.com/27lQSE6LCT
— Rizwan Awan (@SaqibWrites) October 18, 2020
لاہور کے علاقے گلبرگ مین بلیوارڈ پر موبائل، لیپ ٹاپ اور الیکٹرونکس پلازہ میں صبح چھ بجے سے لگی آگ بے قابو ہو گئی ہے۔ آگ دیر سے بجھانے آنے پر تاجر بھڑک گئے۔ گو نیازی گو کے نعرے۔ #HafeezCentre pic.twitter.com/xrgi5cbOfG
— Sarfraz Ali (@ItsSarfrazAli) October 18, 2020
People lost Billions today
From having everything to Nothing,very tragic incident
Pakistan’s biggest electronic market is still under fire its been 10 hours and its still burning
Ya ALLAH rehm#HafeezCentre pic.twitter.com/9O3lFcLeTf
— Sarcastic Engineer….???????????? (@hammadDReal) October 18, 2020
This is Hafeez centre on fire since morning. #Dr_Yasmin #Provincialhealthminister was visiting to check out; this is spontaneous outburst of business community – why ? This is not any more about politics it is about sustenance, ordinary people feel the crunch of #hyperinflation. pic.twitter.com/vikbXaH7Jq
— Iqbal Latif (@ilatif) October 18, 2020
اندرونی صورتحال #HafeezCentre pic.twitter.com/U8oJV0zRIP
— Balaj Sheikh(????مرشد) (@Murshid__44) October 18, 2020
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/18-Oct-2020/fire-fighters-still-struggling-to-douse-flames-at-hafeez-centre