ISLAMABAD: A preliminary investigation report has been prepared regarding the devastating fire that erupted at Rawat Bazaar on Thursday, causing extensive destruction and heavy financial losses to traders.According to the initial report, the Capital Emergency Services control room received the emergency call at 10:09am, after which rescue and firefighting teams were immediately dispatched to the scene.Officials stated that more than 100 shops were completely destroyed in the blaze. The fire rapidly spread through shops dealing in shoes, garments, plastic utensils, fruits and other merchandise, intensifying the scale of damage.Authorities estimated the financial losses from the incident at approximately Rs30 million to Rs40 million.The firefighting operation involved 10 emergency vehicles from Capital Emergency Services, while teams from Rescue Rawalpindi, Islamabad Police, Traffic Police and the Water Board also participated in the relief activities.The report further stated that strong winds created major difficulties for firefighters and rescue personnel during the operation, allowing the flames to spread quickly across the congested market area.Despite the challenges, emergency responders managed to bring the fire under control within nearly one to one-and-a-half hours.Initial investigations suggest that the fire was caused by a short circuit, though further inquiry is underway to determine the exact circumstances of the incident.
