Over 500 shops gutted in Saddar’s Cooperative Market
Traders suspect the market was set on fire by putting chemical.
A huge fire erupted at Cooperative Market in Saddar has burnt more than 500 shops, resulting in loss of billions of rupees to traders.
The fire took place around 5pm yesterday, which engulfed the whole market within no time.
The fire in the market was reported to the fire brigade authorities at around 6pm, after which two fire tenders reached the spot and started fire extinguishing efforts.
Seeing the intensity of the fire, fire tenders and snorkels were called in from all over the city. Fire brigade officials said that about 600 shops were gutted.
Traders have alleged that the fire brigade arrived late and they tried to contact the police and fire brigade for help but could not be contacted. It was too late when contact was made. By the time the fire brigade arrived, the fire had spread throughout the building, while the two fire tenders that had reached the spot had no water.
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On the other hand, Karachi Commissioner Iqbal Memon, while talking to the media, said that the fire brigade had reached the spot on time, seeing the intensity of the fire, the fire was declared third level. The commissioner said it was also reported that the first blast occurred and then the fire erupted, adding that could be confirmed only after the investigation.
Meanwhile, police officials said that as per initially findings short circuit caused the fire. However, after the investigation the actual facts will be revealed.
Administrator Karachi Murtaza Wahab said that the fire brigade had reached the spot as soon as the fire was reported. He said there were 350 shops in the market that caught fire.
The traders of the Cooperative Market had termed the claim of 350 shops in the market by the commissioner and the administrator as wrong. They added that there were 400 shops on the ground floor and over 200 on the upper floors of the market.
The traders said that due to the fire currency notes worth about Rs200 million kept in the shops burnt.
They also suspected that the market was set on fire by putting chemical. They gave the government a 24-hour ultimatum to compensate their losses.
