Overview
- A large blaze tore through the densely packed H-9 Sunday Bazaar, forcing traders and shoppers to flee and producing thick black smoke that was visible across the capital.
- Firefighters from Islamabad and additional rescue units from Rawalpindi battled the flames and by late Tuesday evening had the fire under control while teams continue cooling work to prevent re-ignition.
- Reports of damaged shops vary widely, with initial counts of about 70 to more than 100 shops and a later figure of 335 stalls published by one outlet, reflecting ongoing assessments during salvage operations.
- Rescue officials have given competing accounts of the cause, with some citing a short circuit and exploding batteries and others pointing to possible LPG use, and investigators are collecting evidence to reach a definitive finding.
- Traders say goods worth millions of rupees were lost and hundreds of families face sudden income shocks, renewing calls for stricter electrical safety, better enforcement, and upgrades to market infrastructure after past fires at H-9.