A massive fire has broken out at Centaurus, an upscale skyscraper in Islamabad’s F-8 sector. The building features a four-story shopping mall, a five-star hotel, two residential towers, and a corporate tower.
The fire has reportedly erupted at a renowned restaurant on the shopping mall’s top floor. The Centaurus’ management has reportedly evacuated everyone from the shopping mall.
According to eyewitness accounts, the fire broke out in the tower facing toward the F-10 sector and it has engulfed its several floors, which could cause significant structural damage to the ritzy building.
Although the reason behind the incident is unknown and there is no official word on the number of casualties, the firefighters of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) are on the spot to put out the fire and contain it from spreading further.
Extent of Fire
The CDA and RDA firefighters in tandem with the Centaurus management are doing their best to contain the fire. However, judging by the visuals circulating on social media, it seems that it will take some time before the fire is eventually put out.
Here are some of the visuals that give an idea of the extent of the fire.
اسلام آباد کے معروف تجارتی مرکز سینٹورس میں آگ بڑھ اٹھی ریسکیو ٹیمیں موقع پر پہنچ گی ، @ICT_Police @dcislamabad pic.twitter.com/uES4xOu6C1
— Shakeel Qarar (@Qarar009) October 9, 2022
The image above is captured from Margallah Hills, showing a thick and dark cloud of smoke emanating from the building that has spread over a major portion of the federal capital.
Police Cordons Off Centaurus
Meanwhile, the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police has cordoned off Centaurus and its adjoining roads. Inspector General (IG), Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan, along with the top brass of the ICT Police is present at the spot.
A spokesperson for the ICT Police has requested the citizens to avoid visiting the area and let the authorities do their work. On the other hand, Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) has issued a new traffic plan to ensure the smooth flow of traffic in the city.
Evacuation Completed
ICT Police has claimed that everyone inside the mall has been safely evacuated, suggesting that no loss of life has been documented by the authorities so far. Meanwhile, the ICT Police is also conducting a search operation in the mall.
مال میں موجود تمام افراد کو بحفاظت نکال لیا گیا ہے۔
ٹیم مال کے اندر سرچ آپریشن کر رہی ہے۔#ICTP
— Islamabad Police (@ICT_Police) October 9, 2022
Chief Commissioner Reaches Centaurus
ICT Chief Commissioner and Chairman CDA, Captain (r) Usman Younas, has reached the spot. He is overseeing the firefighting operation. The Chairman has directed the municipal corporation to utilize all available resources to minimize the damage.
https://twitter.com/CDAthecapital/status/1579080253783552000
Authorities Call Air Support
In the first major update, ICT Police has requested a helicopter to augment the firefighting operation. A spokesperson for the ICT Police has claimed that the fire inside the building has been put out and no shop sustained major damage.
However, the firefighters are finding are difficult to contain the fire at the outer part of the building, for which a helicopter has been summoned.
PM Shehbaz Takes Notice
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken notice of the incident. He has ordered the concerned departments and officials to take immediate action. The premier has also expressed grief over the incident and extended sympathy to affected businesspersons.
اسلام آباد کے سینٹاریس مال میں آتشزدگی کا نوٹس لیتے ہوئے وفاقی دارالحکومت کے متعلقہ اداروں اور حکام کو فوری کارروائی کی ہدایت کی ہے۔ بہت افسوس ہے کہ اس معروف کاروباری مرکز میں یہ واقعہ ہوا ہے۔ دعا ہے کہ کوئی جانی نقصان نہ ہوا ہو۔ متاثرین کے مالی نقصانات پر افسوس اور ہمدردی ہے۔
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) October 9, 2022
Fire Contained in the Inside
A spokesperson for the CDA has claimed that the fire has been contained in most of the inner parts of the building, which are currently undergoing a cooling process. On the other hand, the fire on the outer parts of the building will be contained soon, the spokesperson added.
Chairman CDA along with ICT Administration over seeing rescue and relief opertion. Most of the area is under cooling process where as rest of the area will be controlled soon.Rescue teams are in side the building to search and rescue if any one is trapped inside. pic.twitter.com/xGrBkAlsl5
— Capital Development Authority, Islamabad. (@CDAthecapital) October 9, 2022
Centaurus to Be Sealed Indefinitely
A spokesperson for the ICT Police has revealed that Centaurus will be sealed indefinitely by the Deputy Commissioner ICT, Irfan Nawaz Memon. The shopping mall will be off-limits for everyone until authorities ascertain the reasons behind the blaze.
ریسکیو آپریشن مکمل ہونے پر شاپنگ مال کی عمارت کو ڈپٹی کمشنر اسلام آباد کے حکم سے سیل کر دیا جائے گا۔
آگ لگنے کی وجوہات کی تحقیقات تک عمارت سیل رہے گی۔
کسی کو بھی شاپنگ مال میں داخل ہونے کی اجازت نہیں ہو گی۔#ICTP
— Islamabad Police (@ICT_Police) October 9, 2022
I really hope the government heavily fines the Centaurus management for such mishandling, and poor design of the building. This not only put the life of citizens in danger, but also severly affacted the surrounding environment with excessive dark smoke. I really really hope Shahbaz government does something against these heartless elites.
MONAL DOWNTOWN was resonsible for the fire, Grow some spirit and accuse the accusers
Isn’t Monal restaurant in Centaurus? Because all of the stores and restaurants are considered to be part of the “Centaurus brand”, it is the responsibility of Centaurus management to ensure that all of the establishments adhere to the standards. The problem, however, is that Pakistan does not have any standards. In spite of this, the government should issue a fine to Centaurus, and Centaurus can decide for themselves what action to take with regard to Monal.