RAWALPINDI: A major fire that erupted at a factory in the Rawat Industrial Area near Rawalpindi was brought under control after more than 16 hours of continuous firefighting, while cooling operations are currently underway, rescue officials said on Tuesday.
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According to rescue authorities, the blaze broke out at an industrial unit in Rawat, prompting an immediate emergency response. Firefighters launched a large-scale operation and deployed up to 19 fire tenders to contain the flames as the fire intensified rapidly.
راولپنڈی کے علاقے روات کے انڈسٹریل ایریا میں لگنے والی آگ پر 6 گھنٹے بعد بھی بےقابو نہیں پایا جا سکا ہے. pic.twitter.com/cT6HFsMgFR
— Muhammad Suhail ALI. (@MuhammaddSuhail) February 9, 2026
Rescue officials said additional fire brigade vehicles were called in as the situation worsened. Emergency crews used large volumes of water mixed with foam to suppress the blaze, as the factory reportedly stored significant quantities of chemicals and other flammable materials, making the operation particularly challenging.
Officials confirmed that the fire has now been controlled and that cooling activities are ongoing to prevent re-ignition. No casualties have been reported so far, and the cause of the fire remains unknown. Authorities said a formal investigation would be initiated once the situation is fully stabilised.
Rescue teams have restricted access to the affected area due to concerns that the prolonged fire may have weakened the structure of the factory building, raising the risk of a possible collapse. The Deputy Commissioner of Rawalpindi said emergency teams were dispatched immediately after receiving reports of the fire, which helped prevent loss of life.
The Rawat incident comes amid growing concern over fire safety standards in Pakistan’s major cities, particularly Karachi, where a series of recent fires has highlighted gaps in safety measures and emergency preparedness.
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In January alone, Karachi reported 225 fire incidents, according to official figures cited by The News, resulting in injuries, deaths, and extensive property damage. The trend has continued into February, with more than 20 incidents reported in the first five days of the month. The deadliest recent blaze occurred on January 17, when a massive fire at Gul Plaza claimed 79 lives and injured at least 22 others.