Fire in Haripur exposes non-functional municipal fire brigade

HARIPUR: A fire at an LPG gas cylinder shop in Khalabat Township has drawn attention to the prolonged non-functioning of the Municipal Committee Khalabat fire brigade after the municipal vehicle failed to reach the site, according to officials and local residents.

The blaze broke out on Tuesday evening at Pakhral Chowk in Sector No. 2 of Khalabat, where a gas leak at the LPG cylinder shop triggered a major fire, according to reports. The flames rapidly consumed the shop and spread to a neighbouring grocery store.

The incident destroyed goods worth millions of rupees in the two shops and left two people injured. One of the injured was reported to be in critical condition.

Khalabat SHO Shafiqur Rehman, accompanied by police personnel, reached the scene after being informed and took part in rescue efforts. The Municipal Committee Khalabat was also informed in time, but its fire brigade vehicle could not be deployed because it had been out of order for several months, municipal sources said.

Rescue 1122 was then called in, and teams arrived from Haripur city to bring the fire under control at Pakhral Chowk. Their response prevented what was described as a major tragedy.

Residents protest municipal response

Residents of Khalabat strongly criticised the Municipal Committee over the condition of its emergency response system. They said it was criminal negligence for a town with a population of around 150,000 to be without a working fire brigade vehicle.

Citizens also questioned the committee’s performance, saying that losses could have been reduced if a functional fire engine had been available at the time of the fire. They urged the deputy commissioner and the provincial government to take immediate and strict notice of the matter.

Officials cite long-standing damage

Officials of Municipal Committee Khalabat said the fire brigade vehicle had remained damaged for a long period despite repeated requests to higher authorities for repairs.

Municipal sources further said the vehicle may not have been repaired because the fire brigade department has effectively been merged into Rescue 1122, while fire brigade staff have been assigned to other departments.

The incident has intensified public concern over emergency preparedness in Khalabat, particularly in a densely populated town where residents say the absence of a functioning municipal fire vehicle has left the area vulnerable in the event of serious fires.