Overview
- The early-Thursday blaze gutted the three-storey Lalazar Hotel, built in 1970 and closed for the winter season.
- Rescue 1122 and Kaghan Development Authority teams responded and contained the fire after several hours, officials said.
- Owner and Balakot tehsil chairman Syed Ibrahim Ahmad said the cause remains unknown as police registered a case.
- Flames spread to adjoining businesses, destroying two warehouses and scorching a neighboring hotel's windows and doors.
- Officials noted deodar and bayar timber intensified the fire and called on local businesses to install modern firefighting systems.