H-9 Sunday Bazaar Fire: First-Ever Forensic Investigation Begins as Safety Questions Resurface
ISLAMABAD: The investigation into the devastating fire that swept through Islamabad’s H-9 Sunday Bazaar has entered a crucial phase, with authorities ordering the first-ever forensic examination of the site to scientifically determine the cause of the blaze.
The fire erupted late Tuesday night at the Capital Development Authority (CDA)-managed weekly market near Peshawar Morr and rapidly spread through multiple sections, triggering a large-scale emergency response. Rescue 1122 deployed six fire engines while the Pakistan Navy Fire Brigade and Capital Emergency Services joined the operation to contain the flames.
According to the Islamabad district administration, the fire spread across nine sections of the market. More than 380 stalls were damaged, while the preliminary financial loss has been estimated at around Rs120 million (12 crore). No casualties were reported.
Initial assessments by rescue officials suggested that the fire may have originated due to a short circuit, while exploding batteries stored inside some shops intensified the blaze and complicated firefighting efforts. The affected stalls mainly contained garments, shoes, plastic household items and other combustible goods.
Following the incident, the district administration constituted an eight-member inquiry committee to investigate the fire. The committee has been tasked with examining the cause of the blaze, reviewing fire prevention measures, evaluating the rescue response, assessing losses, and recommending compensation for affected traders.
In a significant development, the committee decided to seek forensic assistance for the first time in the history of the H-9 Bazaar fire incidents. Acting on the committee’s request, teams from the National Forensics Agency (NFA) spent two days collecting physical evidence and samples from the burnt stalls. Officials said the forensic report is expected within 30 days, after which the inquiry committee will finalize its report.
The latest fire has once again highlighted long-standing concerns over safety arrangements at the market. Traders alleged that no fire brigade vehicle was stationed inside the bazaar despite previous incidents. They claimed a water tanker available at the site was non-functional and alleged that rescue teams and district administration officials arrived late, allowing the fire to spread further.
Several traders also criticized authorities for failing to implement recommendations from previous inquiries. Some claimed they had received no compensation despite suffering heavy losses in earlier fires, while the market’s traders’ association questioned why previous investigation reports had never been made public.
The incident is the fourth major fire at H-9 Sunday Bazaar in the past three years. In July 2024, another massive blaze destroyed around 625 stalls, with traders estimating losses of nearly Rs280 million (28 crore). According to the Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA), the H-9 Sunday Bazaar consists of approximately 2,743 stalls, making it one of the largest weekly markets in the federal capital.
The repeated incidents have renewed calls for comprehensive fire safety reforms, including permanent firefighting infrastructure, improved electrical inspections, emergency water supply systems, and stricter enforcement of safety standards to protect traders and visitors.
