Overview
- Rescue officials say the third-degree blaze began on the ground floor around 10:15 pm and raced to upper levels of the multi-story market on MA Jinnah Road.
- Hospitals reported more than 20 injured with five in critical condition, and rescuers said three victims died from burns and three from suffocation, with several identities confirmed.
- Fire crews deployed over 20 engines, water bowsers and snorkels as narrow corridors and flammable stockpiles intensified the blaze and forced a cautious operation due to structural fragility.
- The Pakistan Meteorological Department forecasts rain and snowfall between January 18 and 23 across parts of Punjab, KP, GB, Kashmir and Balochistan, raising travel and response challenges.
- Security agencies reported parallel actions with Punjab Police arresting 210 suspects from 95 gangs and seizing large caches of weapons while the ANF made four arrests with 79.18 kg of drugs recovered, as Punjab also released Rs1 billion to restart the University of Gujranwala and Lahore’s divisional committee cleared nine development schemes.