H-9 Bazaar fire probe faces scrutiny over missing accountability

According to official findings, the fire originated at stalls C-432 and C-433 at approximately 9:45pm. The report also noted that the market’s designated

ISLAMABAD: An inquiry into the recent fire at Islamabad’s H-9 Sunday Bazaar has sparked fresh criticism after investigators reportedly identified where the blaze began but stopped short of fixing responsibility for the incident, leaving the final cause to a pending forensic examination.

According to official findings, the fire originated at stalls C-432 and C-433 at approximately 9:45pm. The report also noted that the market’s designated fire tender was away refilling its water tank when the fire broke out, limiting the immediate emergency response. Investigators further observed that several vendors had been using their stalls as storage areas, increasing the risk of a major fire.

Despite highlighting these factors, the inquiry has drawn criticism for not identifying officials responsible for alleged safety lapses. Questions remain over why only a handful of fire safety drills had been conducted in recent years and why stronger preventive measures were not implemented despite two previous major fires at the same market.

The report also pointed to unauthorized subletting of stalls and the storage of excessive combustible materials by some traders. However, critics argue that it failed to examine the role of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and market management in enforcing safety regulations and preventing such violations.

Investigators concluded that the exact cause of the fire would be determined after the completion of a forensic investigation. Their recommendations focused on preventing future incidents, including banning overnight storage of goods inside stalls, prohibiting the use of tarpaulin sheets, and ending the practice of subletting market spaces.

According to the inquiry, traders and security personnel attempted to contain the fire immediately after it erupted before emergency services were alerted at 9:51pm. The first fire engine reached the site at 10:02pm, while the Assistant Commissioner of I-9 arrived minutes earlier to supervise rescue efforts. Firefighters, supported by Rescue 1122, the Jinnah Convention Centre, and Naval Headquarters, managed to bring the blaze under control at around 1:20am.

Although the report outlines the sequence of events, it has intensified debate over accountability, as it leaves unanswered who should be held responsible for the third major fire to hit the H-9 Sunday Bazaar within the past three years.