Fire ravages commercial plaza at Alvi Chowk, destroying shops and goods

LAHORE: A major fire erupted in a commercial plaza at Alvi Chowk on Wednesday, reducing a four-storey building to ruins and damaging at least eight shops, according to officials and eyewitnesses.

The blaze triggered panic in the busy business area as heavy smoke and flames spread quickly through the structure. Witnesses said the fire broke out suddenly in a shop on the lower floor and, within a short time, extended to neighbouring outlets and the upper levels of the building.

Shopkeepers and local residents initially tried to contain the flames on their own, but had to pull back and leave the area as the fire intensified. The scale of the blaze and the speed with which it moved through the building added to the alarm among traders and people present in the vicinity.

Emergency response

Rescue 1122 reached the site after the fire was reported and deployed six fire tenders along with rescue personnel to carry out firefighting operations. Officials and witnesses said the incident caused extensive losses, with merchandise worth millions of rupees destroyed in the affected shops.

The fire gutted the four-storey commercial building and left at least eight shops damaged. The incident disrupted activity in the surrounding commercial locality as emergency teams worked to control the blaze.

Eyewitness account

According to eyewitnesses, the fire originated on the lower floor before rapidly moving upward and sideways through the plaza. Their account indicated that the initial response came from shopkeepers and residents nearby, who attempted to stop the spread before the situation became too dangerous.

The intensity of the flames and smoke forced people to evacuate the building and nearby area. The incident unfolded in a densely active commercial zone, contributing to fear and confusion as the fire spread.

Officials and witnesses said the losses ran into millions of rupees because of the destruction of stock and shop property. No further official details were provided in the report about the cause of the fire beyond eyewitness accounts that it began in a lower-floor shop.

Rescue teams remained engaged in the response after reaching the scene, with six fire tenders and rescue staff taking part in the operation. The fire left significant damage to the plaza and the businesses operating inside it.