Centaurus Mall fire: Large blaze erupts at Islamabad shopping mall

[MenInG]

A large fire has broken out at the Centaurus Mall in the centre of the Pakistani capital, Islamabad.

Images on social media showed a huge plume of smoke emanating from the building, with some footage showing flames inside and outside the building.

They also showed people trying to leave the building.

Police say all people in the mall were evacuated safely. Efforts were under way to put out the fire, which was said to be spreading to other floors.

BBC


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[sweep_shot]

Terrible.

I hope all are safe.

 

[MenInG]

A fire in Islamabad’s Centaurus Mall on Sunday was brought under control after two hours, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) confirmed.

CDA Chairman and Islamabad Chief Commissioner retired Capt Mohammad Usman Younis said the fire brigade, Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Air Force and Rescue 1122 took part in the firefighting operation.

DawnNewsTV earlier reported that residential apartments in the building were evacuated and fire brigade staff were busy putting out the fire even as plumes of smoke rose from the building.

Footage broadcast on television showed plumes of smoke billowing from the building, while in other clips people could be seen trying to escape using the mall’s escalators.

The Islamabad police said that the building would be sealed, once the rescue operation was complete, on the orders of the city’s deputy commissioner till an investigation into the fire’s cause and no one would be allowed to enter it.

Earlier, the capital police said that a search operation was underway in the mall.

The city police chief, senior police officers, administration officials and rescue teams were present at the scene.

The police also said that a helicopter was being called up as well to aid in the rescue and firefighting operation.

They added that the fire inside the mall was “under control” and no shop was damaged albeit there were still some flames on the mall’s exterior which were being extinguished.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Pakistan Navy had said that the institution was also helping in the firefighting effort, adding that a navy team and three fire tenders were in use.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took notice of the incident and said he had ordered relevant institutions and authorities to take immediate action.

“It is very unfortunate that this incident happened in this well-known business centre. I pray that there is no loss of life. Condolences and sympathies for the financial losses of the victims,” he tweeted.

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah also took notice of the incident and ordered the Islamabad administration and fire brigade to use all resources at their disposal to control the fire.

“The facility of helicopter from the relevant departments should also be used to extinguish the fire,” he ordered, further directing that the reasons for the fire should be examined so those responsible could be determined.

The interior minister instructed that a detailed report of the fire should be submitted to the Ministry of Interior.

The CDA said that its chairman was also present at the site and monitoring rescue and firefighting operations.

“All resources are being utilised to control the fire as early as possible,” the CDA added.

The CDA said most of the affected area was undergoing the cooling process and the rest would be controlled soon as well.

Younis said that 60 to 70 per cent of the fire was under control, adding that it was moving upward via the balconies of the residential apartments.

“We have requested the helicopter, which will arrive shortly. The helicopter will help prevent the fire from spreading upwards,” the chief commissioner said, adding that three to four teams were sent into the mall to ensure that no one was inside.

He expressed hope that the fire would be brought under control in a while.

DAWN

 

[SalimBhai]

Terrible. Any deaths?

 

[MenInG]

Hugely important part of Islamabad this mall so should be a big inquiry on this

 

[James]

Hundreds of people have been evacuated after a massive blaze broke out at a shopping centre in Pakistan's capital Islamabad.

The fire erupted at the Centaurus mall, located in the heart of the city, on Sunday, sending huge plumes of black smoke billowing from the building.

Crowds of terrified shoppers were seen running down escalators to escape in scenes of panic shared on social media.

Islamabad Police said rescue teams pulled out people trapped in the mall via a rear entrance before carrying out a search operation inside the building.

A helicopter crew was also dispatched to help the rescue efforts and stop the flames spreading to other floors of the building.

Everyone inside has now been brought to safety and no casualties have been reported.

"The fire inside the mall has been brought under control and no shop was damaged," the force said in a statement posted on Twitter.

The area has now been sealed off pending an investigation into the cause of the blaze.

The four-storey shopping mall has more than 250 stores and welcomes 11million visitors every year.

The Centaurus building, designed by British architectural firm, WS Atkins, also houses a 36-floor hotel and three 23-floor residential and office towers, together with a cash and carry on the ground floor and food courts on the top.

https://news.sky.com/story/hundreds...-shopping-centre-12716647?dcmp=snt-sf-twitter

 

[the Great Khan]

Hugely important part of Islamabad this mall so should be a big inquiry on this

Just feels very symbolic at the moment..country in turmoil and a big symbol like this burning is almost a symbol of the state of the nation..

 

[Bewal Express]

Hope everyone is safe and not too much damage is done to the centre

 

[PakLFC]

Was there just a few months back. Being an eternal optimist i am always hopeful. Hopelessness is losing faith in Allah hence a sin in Islam.

 

[daytrader]

CDA SEALS CENTAURUS MALL

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has sealed Centaurus Mall in an overnight raid, ARY News reported.

The development came hours after a heated debate between Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir Sardar Tanveer Ilyas and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his visit to Mangla. PM Shehbaz Sharif didn’t allow the AJK PM to speak during his speech.

Reports revealed that a team of CDA officials and local police raided the Centaurus Mall and expelled the administrative staff as well as guards, after which the building was sealed.

The CDA said the mall has been sealed over ‘illegal use’.

Earlier in October, the mall had caught fire for unknown reasons but a spokesperson for the AJK PM blamed the federal government for the fire in Centaurus Shopping Mall, which is owned by AJK PM Sardar Tanveer Ilyas.

Talking to journalists, AJK PM’s spokesperson, Raja Usman, had claimed that the fire in Centaurus Mall was set deliberately as the federal government was doing political victimisation in light of the political situation.

He claimed that the federal government wants to make it a bigger incident than Model Town fire, accusing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah of involvement in Islamabad’s shopping mall fire.

ARY

 

[Cricket-lion]

This is political victimisation, now I am skeptical to believe that the fire was not intentional a few months ago. Is this the type of Pakistan that PDM supporters want to give us? Many peoples livelihood impacted by such acts and this will drive business away, including foreign brands such as Ralph Lauren etc. Not only PDM have destroyed the economy but also now targeted of what ever is left.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Sad news hope all are well