The Rawalpindi Plaza Fire broke out on Wednesday evening in a basement warehouse of a commercial building on City Saddar Road. The blaze continued for nearly 12 hours before rescue teams finally brought it under control early Thursday morning.
The fire started around 6:30 pm in the basement of the four-storey Shanghai Plaza, located in the busy Saddar market area of Rawalpindi. Rescue 1122 received the emergency call and immediately sent several firefighting vehicles and rescue teams to the site.
Initially, firefighters managed to control flames visible outside the building. However, during cooling operations, the Rawalpindi Plaza Fire intensified again after rescuers discovered a warehouse inside the basement.
Officials said the warehouse contained boring motors, rubber and plastic pipes, and oil. These materials quickly fueled the fire and made the situation more dangerous for rescue workers.
Due to the emergency situation, City Saddar Road was closed for traffic. Chief Traffic Officer Farhan Aslam directed traffic police to divert vehicles to alternative routes to keep traffic moving.
Rescue 1122 teams faced major challenges while controlling the Rawalpindi Plaza Fire. The basement had only one narrow passage, which was also closed. There was no other entry or exit point for firefighters.
Officials also found that the basement lacked a proper ventilation system, which caused thick smoke to fill the area. This made it difficult for rescuers to direct foam and chemical water towards the flames.
To control the situation, the district emergency officer Engineer Sibghatullah called additional rescue staff and fire vehicles. In total, around 50 firefighters and 13 fire brigade vehicles took part in the operation.
Rescue teams eventually cut open the warehouse gate and broke parts of the roof to create openings. Holes were drilled at several points so firefighters could access the basement and continue the operation.
Smoke extractor machines and pipes were also installed to remove smoke from the building. Meanwhile, the electricity supply to the area was disconnected to avoid further risks.
Authorities later revealed that serious fire safety violations existed in the plaza. The basement had no fire alarms, smoke detectors, or emergency firefighting equipment.
Officials also confirmed that the building had no proper emergency exits or ventilation system, which made the fire extremely difficult to control.
Initially, authorities suspected a short circuit as the possible cause of the Rawalpindi Plaza Fire. However, rescue officials said the exact cause will be confirmed only after a detailed investigation.
Cooling operations inside the building are still continuing as rescue teams monitor the situation.
