Over 150 shops gutted in fire at Pakistan's market

At least 150 shops were gutted in a high-intensity fire that broke out in a weekly market in the Pakistani capital on Wednesday, officials said.

There were no reports of casualties as it was an off-day in the market named "Itwar Bazaar". No hawker or customer was present there when the market was engulfed by the fire.

According to the Capital Development Authority's officials, initially six fire tenders were sent to the site after receiving the information. However, after they failed to control the blaze, four more tenders rushed to the site to douse the huge blaze.

It was not ascertained yet how the fire broke out, said the officials, adding that the investigation was on.

According to shop owners, who reached the area after the fire, all valuable items stored inside the bazaar were destroyed resulting in huge losses for them. The fire erupted in the garments section of the market.

The smoke rising from the market could be seen from places several kilometres away. Itwar Bazaar, located in central Islamabad, comprises around 2,000 stalls and shops. It opens on Sunday, Tuesday and Friday.

--IANS

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