Over 45 Rescue 1122 personnel with 13 vehicles battle large-scale blaze; cause unknown
Thick plumes of smoke billow from a textile factory that caught fire in Rawalpindi’s Industrial Estate on February 9. PHOTO: SCREENGRAB
RAWALPINDI:
A massive fire broke out at a garment and textile factory along with its warehouse in Rawalpindi’s Rawat Industrial Estate on Monday, triggering an extensive firefighting operation that continued for several hours.
According to Rescue 1122, more than 45 firefighters, supported by 13 emergency vehicles, were dispatched to the scene soon after the fire was reported. Firefighting teams from multiple districts were also directed to assist as efforts to control the blaze remained ongoing.
The factory and warehouse cover an area of approximately four kanals. The warehouse reportedly contained a significant stock of imported polyester quilts, prayer mats, and other textile goods, contributing to the intensity of the fire.
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Rescue 1122 officials stated that additional fire tenders were dispatched to the site, while other fire services and the Water and Sanitation Agency were also called in to support firefighting operations.
Senior police officials, including Rawat Station House Officer (SHO) Inspector Zahid Zahoor, were present at the scene to oversee security and coordination.
He said that only two security guards were present at the factory at the time of the incident — one stationed at the front and the other at the rear gate. The SHO added that both remained safe and unharmed.
Despite sustained efforts, the fire could not be fully controlled even after three to three-and-a-half hours of continuous firefighting.
The SHO said the cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and investigations are underway.
A statement from the WASA spokesperson said that uninterrupted water supply was being ensured for the firefighting operations and the agency’s resource were being fully utilised for the purpose.
It quoted WASA Managing Director Muhammad Saleem Ashraf as saying that 15 of the agency’s and 10 private tankers were being used in the operation.
