In a devastating repeat of past events, Lahore’s well-known electronics mart, Hafeez Center in Gulberg, caught fire today, sending panic around the city.
The incident occurred during heavy monsoon rains, compounding the challenges faced by emergency services as they rushed to control the escalating fire disaster.
Dramatic visuals on social media showed the five-storey commercial building swallowed in dense black smoke. Streets surrounding the market were submerged due to ongoing rainfall, hampering firefighting efforts and evacuation routes.
Eyewitnesses reported thick plumes of smoke inside the center, with corridors and numerous shops charred and visibly damaged. Many of the shop owners, still recovering from previous setbacks, now face fresh concerns over lost inventory, interrupted trade, and possible structural threats to the building.
Rescue Efforts and Unclear Damage Scale
Authorities in Lahore acted swiftly. Police and Rescue 1122 teams arrived within minutes of the alert and began coordinated operations to subdue the blaze. But authorities said they are still assessing the full scope of the damage. Structural engineers are also on-site to assess whether the building’s integrity has been compromised due to repeated incidents.
So far, no casualties have been reported, but the emotional toll and financial damage could be severe, especially for small business owners.
Rescue personnel faced two-fold challenges: battling the flames and maneuvering around flooded roads in the Gulberg area. According to local officials, investigations into the cause of the fire disaster are underway. While initial suspicion falls on electrical faults, previous safety violations suggest broader systemic issues may be involved.
A History of Neglected Safety
This is not the first time Lahore’s Hafeez Center has suffered such devastation. In October 2020, an inferno erupted on the building’s second floor, destroying an estimated 400 to 500 shops and causing property losses between Rs 2.5 to 3 billion.
That 2020 fire disaster lasted over 14 hours and required intervention from 25 fire tenders, Pakistan Navy, and Rangers. Dozens were evacuated from rooftops in a dramatic rescue operation. A government inquiry followed, leading to the building’s temporary closure after identifying structural cracks and dysfunctional fire safety systems.
Sadly, not enough appears to have changed since then. Today’s incident once again highlights the urgent need for proper safety regulations, enforcement, and building inspections in commercial complexes across Lahore.
The Hafeez Center is more than just an electronics market, it’s a symbol of trade and tech commerce in Lahore. Thousands of people rely on its daily operations, from shopkeepers to technicians and logistics staff. Repeated fire disasters not only impact the economy but also raise troubling questions about building safety, preparedness, and governance.
As officials investigate the latest cause, the Lahore community hopes this won’t be just another case of forgotten promises. Real accountability, implementation of fire safety protocols, and structural compliance must be enforced if Lahore is to avoid future fire disasters of this magnitude.
Until then, traders and visitors alike are left with uncertainty and a haunting sense of déjà vu.
