Fire at Rawalpindi’s Shanghai Plaza burns for 12 hours, raising safety concerns

A major fire broke out in the basement of Shanghai Plaza on City Saddar Road in Rawalpindi, leading to a prolonged firefighting operation that lasted approximately 12 hours. The incident, which began late at night, required the efforts of around 50 firefighters to bring the blaze under control.

Reports indicate that the fire erupted in the basement area of the multi-storey commercial building. Firefighters worked through the night and into the following day to contain the flames. The operation was described as challenging due to the intensity of the fire and the structure of the building.

Sources have highlighted that the incident exposed significant safety violations at Shanghai Plaza. Details regarding the specific nature of these violations were not provided in the reports, but officials noted that the lack of adequate safety measures complicated the firefighting efforts.

Authorities have not released information regarding casualties or the extent of property damage as of the latest updates. The cause of the fire has not been confirmed, and investigations are reportedly underway to determine the origins of the blaze and to assess compliance with safety regulations.

Officials said that the prolonged duration of the fire and the scale of the response have raised questions about fire safety standards in commercial buildings in the area. The incident has prompted calls for stricter enforcement of safety codes and regular inspections to prevent similar events in the future.

The firefighting teams remained on site after the blaze was brought under control to monitor for any potential flare-ups and to ensure the safety of the surrounding area.