ISLAMABAD: Two people were killed after a fire erupted in the Awami Markaz building in the capital’s Red Zone.
The building, located close to the PTV headquarters and a five-star hotel, houses several private and government offices.
Initial reports stated that the fire erupted in the upper floors of the six-storey building, however, later officials said the fire began on the ground floor near an office of the Federal Tax Ombudsman.
Rescue officials said the two people who died did not need to jump from the building as a fire exit was available. They added that the two worked at a call centre inside the building and were injured from the fall. They were shifted to separate hospitals but succumbed to their injuries.
Seven fire tenders were on site to douse the flames, according to rescue officials. The firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze in around an hour and later continued the ‘cooling efforts’.
Sources said the fire was reportedly caused by short-circuiting but investigations will determine the exact cause of the flames.
Two vehicles parked in the building’s parking area were also damaged as a result of the fire.
Rangers and police were on site to assist in rescue efforts, according to sources.
