ISLAMABAD:
The Capital Development Authority’s Emergency and Disaster Management Department has sealed Babar Plaza in Sector F-8 following a fire that broke out in the building.
According to sources, the CDA Fire Department had previously issued notices to the plaza regarding fire safety arrangements. A notice issued in 2011 was also reportedly not responded to.
The fire suddenly broke out at Babar Plaza, triggering panic among people inside the building. It quickly intensified, sending thick smoke throughout the plaza.
Eyewitnesses said that immediately after the fire broke out, people inside the building tried to extinguish it themselves using fire extinguishers. However, the flames suddenly intensified, making the situation difficult to control. As smoke spread to different parts of the building, people began rushing outside.
Some occupants reportedly managed to escape the building on their own, while others were rescued. Fire Brigade sources said 11 people were safely rescued from Babar Plaza during the operation.
Islamabad Fire Brigade teams reached the scene soon after receiving the alert. Four fire engines took part in the firefighting operation, and firefighters brought the blaze under control in about 40 minutes.
After extinguishing the fire, firefighters began a cooling operation to eliminate residual heat or embers that could potentially reignite the blaze.
Islamabad Police personnel were also present at the scene. They cordoned off the area, managed security and traffic, and kept access routes clear for emergency operations. According to the district administration, no casualties were reported in the incident and all people trapped inside the plaza were safely evacuated.
The administration said the cause of the fire was being investigated.
Sources said the decision to seal Babar Plaza was taken after an assessment of its fire safety arrangements and the overall safety condition of the building. The CDA Fire Department had previously pointed out deficiencies related to fire safety at the building.
