At least four people, including a woman, lost their lives in a devastating house fire that erupted near Kochi Bazaar in Peshawar, Rescue 1122 officials confirmed on Monday.
Bilal Ahmad Faizi, spokesperson for Rescue 1122, said the blaze broke out in a residential building adjacent to the market, prompting an immediate response from firefighters and ambulances.
A total of six people were reported to be trapped inside.
Rescue teams managed to pull three individuals at first from the burning structure. Two firefighters fainted due to smoke inhalation and fatigue during the rescue operation.
All rescued individuals, including the affected firefighters, were shifted to nearby hospitals for medical treatment.
Despite the swift intervention, four people were pronounced dead. The deceased were identified as Riaz, Shehnaz, Rafiq and his wife.
Rescue operations involved six fire vehicles and over 40 personnel working to douse the flames and prevent the fire from spreading to nearby shops and homes.
Firefighters encountered significant challenges due to the house being situated in a densely populated area with narrow lanes.
Following strenuous efforts, rescue officials confirmed that the fire had been contained and cooling operations were in progress.
The cause of the fire is yet to be determined. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
