At least 11 people including five members of a family died while two others sustained injuries after the roof of a two-storey perfume factory collapsed due to explosion of some gas cylinders in Shahdara locality, police and rescuers said on Tuesday.
Residents of the area informed the police that around 15 workers were inside the factory when the fire broke out. Meanwhile, due to huge flames and intensity of the blast, the roof of the building collapsed trapping other residents of the building beneath the debris as well as damaging the structure located adjacent to it, they added.
According to police and hospital officials, a labourer identified as Zahid, his wife Rasheeda and three minors Areeba (6), Musa (9) and Naveed (14) were among the deceased. The police said that Zahid was shifted to Mayo Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries while his family was recovered from the debris.
Talking to the media, the residents said the factory was allegedly a textile manufacturing unit. "We only got to know about the presence of perfume and other chemicals after the incident," a resident said. The rescue operation was underway to recover the remaining people trapped under the debris till filing of this report.
Rescue 1122 district officer Rana Izhar told the media that the fire had been brought under control, adding that the deaths were primarily caused by the roof collapse. Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar expressed grief over the loss of precious human lives and extended sympathies to the bereaved heirs.
He directed the Commissioner Lahore to investigate the incident and submit a detailed report. He also directed the administration to provide best healthcare facilities to the injured, adding that persons responsible for this negligence should be identified through a comprehensive investigation.
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