• Inquiry body suspects solar battery caused blaze which engulfed over 600 stalls
• Suggests comprehensive engineering review of weekly bazaar, centralised power distribution system

ISLAMABAD: An inquiry committee formed to investigate a massive blaze at H-9 bazaar earlier this month has pointed out deficiencies in the standard operating procedures and regulations regarding fire prevention and life safety as well as a delayed response to the July 10 fire by the first responders.

The report – based on statements of stall owners, police, and witnesses – prepared on July 19 will be shared with the Prime Minister’s Office as well. It said the fire could have started due to an overcharged solar battery but forensic analysis was needed to find out the definitive cause. The three-member committee led by Additional Commissioner Rana Waqas Anwar included Interior Deputy Secretary Rana Mazhar and Civil Defence Director Mohammad Muzaffar.

The report pointed out that the fire safety measures in commercial areas like bazaar and ‘sabzi mandi’ were insufficient and there were no comprehensive emergency evacuation plans or designated emergency exits in place. In reference to multiple fires at the H-9 bazaar since 2017, the report said the repeated incidents suggested there was a lack of adherence to fire safety standards and the absence of an effective plan to mitigate the spread of fire within the bazaar.

The report further pointed out: “The sole fire management system in place at the bazaar appears to be the presence of a single fire engine... There were deficiencies in the quality of fire equipment available and the level of firefighter(s) training. A comprehensive engineering review is necessary to address the adequacy of fire prevention and suppression measures at the bazaar.”

According to the report, the fire likely started from Stall No. 490 and spread due to wind before the first responders could arrive at the scene. According to the inquiry report, a loud bang was reportedly heard from the said location due to which it was suspected that an “overcharged battery/inverter” started the fire. Quoting the stall owner, the report said that the solar battery (220 volts) was seemingly installed six months ago.

The stall, however, housed garment merchandise, which “unfortunately facilitated the fire to withstand the mitigating activities” by the first responders and allowed it to engulf the neighbouring footwear stalls.

Inadequate fire safety system

The inquiry committee also highlighted the delayed response and equipment issue, stating that a mini fire tender with a capacity of 1,350 litres and a crew of four firefighters was permanently stationed at Gate No. 6 of the H-9 bazaar. It said the on-site fire truck reached the site with a delay which “appeared to be associated with the firefighting staff’s lack of readiness, non-testing/operationalisation of equipment available at the site, and lack of firefighter training for the firefighters and the stall owners at the bazaar”.

Similarly, it pointed out that considerable time had lapsed before the fire was detected by the staff present on the site. The occurrence of prior fires during off days highlighted a potential lack of enforcement of safety protocols on off days, it said, adding that only 26 out of 42 CCTV cameras in the bazaar were operational on the day of the fire. The bazaar administration was able to retrieve footage from only five cameras, it said, adding that the absence of backup systems had rendered these cameras ineffective for monitoring and security purposes.

The inquiry committee underscored the need for a ‘fire safety plan’ for all mercantile bazaars in Islamabad as well as a real-time control room and augmenting the current system of private security guards with early fire detection cameras/sensors linked to the Safe City Authority.

This improved system should leverage surveillance technology to prevent or respond to future fire incidents proactively, the committee said, while recommending the redesigning of the stalls to meet the operational and safety requirements.

“Install underground wiring for all electrical and utility supplies to enhance safety… Enforce strict regulations prohibiting unauthorised electrical installations by vendors... Implement a centralised solar or Wapda supply system to ensure reliable and sustainable energy distribution... Upgrade existing infrastructure with new and improved underground facilities to support the increased electricity demand of vendors,” it suggested.

Moreover, the report said there was a need to enforce fire safety measures, such as basic training for stall owners, the use of fire retardant materials, and the installation of an approved power distribution system. It also said there was a need to regulate the overnight storage of materials at the stalls.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2024