Islamabad’s Centaurus Mall caught on fire on Sunday, which was brought under control within two hours. While no loss of life was reported, the fire has been raising questions about the provision of adequate fire safety preparations.
On the afternoon of October 9, a fire broke out on the fifth floor of the popular mall, which houses the food court. According to details, the fire erupted in the kitchen of one of the restaurants in the food court.
People were evacuated out of the mall and footage shows people running towards escalators in a bid to escape. Within two hours, the blaze was brought under control with the combined efforts of the fire brigade, Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Air Force and Rescue 1122.
سینٹورس مال میں لگی آگ پر قابو پالیا گیا، چیف کمشنر اسلام آباد کیپٹن عثمان
سینٹورس مال پر لگی آگ کو دو گھنٹے کے آپریشن کے بعد کنٹرول کیا گیا، چیف کمشنر اسلام آباد کیپٹن عثمان
آگ پر قابو پانے میں فائر بریگیڈ، نیوی، ائیر فورس، ریسکیو 1122 نے حصہ لیا، چیف کمشنر اسلام آباد
— Capital Development Authority Islamabad. (@CDAthecapital) October 9, 2022
Brakingnews
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Massive fire erupts in
Public
running out of mall #Centaurus Mall Islamabad pic.twitter.com/87pqzOBmSo— humanity come first 💙 (@AbaidkhanUk) October 9, 2022
According to a report by the Daily Times, a case has been registered pertaining to the fire, under Section 436. The media outlet reported that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has allegedly claimed that unidentified individuals set fire to the mall for ‘undisclosed reasons’.
Meanwhile, social media users are also pointing out the lack of fire safety most public buildings in Pakistan have, and the lack of fire emergency preparedness.
Pakistan’s most expensive commercial real estate building has no fire plan. People are leaving the building on their own with no proper response from the management. pic.twitter.com/UAGzaDDuIy
— Farrukh (@FarrukhJAbbasi) October 9, 2022
Popular radio host Sabah Bano Malik recounts an incident told to her by her friend’s mother, who claims that almost all the emergency exits were blocked with boxes.
My moms friend was inside and managed to get out allegedly almost all the emergency exits they tried were blocked with boxes. https://t.co/nBGr9XPzZs
— Sabah Bano Malik (@sabahbanomalik) October 9, 2022
Other users added their own experiences regarding the lack of fire exits the mall had, while also pushing for added safety checks in the future.
He wasn't even bothered about it
— Mona khan (@MemoonaRasheed2) October 9, 2022
Saw terrifying videos of the raging fire at #Centaurus Mall in Islamabad!
While efforts are underway to control the catastrophe, this is a reminder for everyone to prioritise regular checks for safety 🙏🏻
Praying there’s no loss of life or harm caused to anyone in the vicinty!
— Momin Saqib (@mominsaqib) October 9, 2022
The mall and its surrounding residential towers have been sealed off for the foreseeable future till a technical team could report on the structural integrity and safety of the building.
As a precaution, the Centaurus mall and its allied residential towers are being sealed till the Technical team reports on the structural capability of the towers after this fire. The shopping mall also is completely cardon off and secured to avoid any theft etc.
— Office of Deputy Commissioner Islamabad (@dcislamabad) October 9, 2022
An inquiry committee has also been formed to look into the cause of the fire and examine the existing fire precaution mechanisms in the building. A report on the findings of the investigation is to be submitted in three days.
