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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.