A mysterious fire that engulfed one of the busiest auto-parts markets of the metropolis in the wee hours of Thursday morning, burnt commodities of millions of rupees into ashes. "We were informed by a caller, who might be a watchman, at 2:30am that fire broke out in the basement of Rafiq Plaza, one of the busiest auto-parts markets of the metropolis where most of the auto parts warehouses were located, Chief Fire fighter said.
"Reacting on this information, some 20 fire tenders and snorkel immediately rushed on the spot and engaged in extinguishing the fire," he informed. "Some eight auto-parts' warehouses, where several drums of combustible substances were present, were completely gutted in fire before we reached on the ground hence we needed more tenders for backup," he said. "Later more fire brigade trucks from KPT and DHA fire stations were dispatched to place and employed to control the fire," he maintained.
Furthermore, he said the fire was completely brought under control within six hours and nobody was hurt in this incident. Chief fire fighter said that the goods of eight warehouses and six auto-parts shops of mezzanine floors worth over Rs 10 million were burnt into ashes in fire and added that the cause of fire yet to be ascertained.
However, the traders, who gathered at the incident place soon after the news of this incident broadcasted on private TV channels, held extortionists responsible for this incident. They also staged protest and chanted slogans against the law enforcement agencies, saying that the extortionists (Bhatta Mafia) with the support of law enforcers were threatening the business community through this illicit activity. They said that there was no short circuit behind this incident but some evildoers, who were trying to disturb business community.
They requested to the authority concerned to take stern action against the wrongdoers (extortionists) to avert such incidents in future and facilitate business fraternity at optimum level. They also demanded for independent inquiry of the said incident, saying that the authority concerned should initiate independent inquiry of this incident to take responsible persons to task.