Deceased include women and children trapped in fire at gas pipeline in Hattar Industrial Estate
At least eight members of a household were killed, and five others were injured after a fire from an explosion in a gas pipeline in Haripur in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Hazara division, officials said on Thursday.
The blaze engulfed nearby residential settlements in a suburban area at the Hattar Industrial Estate.
Confirming the death toll, Haripur Deputy Commissioner Wasim Ahmad said that eight members of one household were killed in the incident, while five people were injured and six were rescued. “The deceased included three children, two girls, two elderly women, and one man,” he added.
He said the fire was brought under control after several hours of efforts and that the rescue operation had been completed.
The massive fire erupted in a gas pipeline near Colony Mor, Kot Najibullah, in the Hattar Industrial Estate, spreading panic in a nearby factory. Employees managed to escape, but several people were trapped in the adjacent residential area.
Rescue and fire brigade teams reached the site immediately, and given the intensity of the fire, seven additional fire vehicles and firefighters were dispatched from Mansehra, Abbottabad, Mardan, and Swabi to bring the situation under control, a Rescue 1122 spokesperson said.
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Following the incident, gas supply to the Hazara division was suspended.
K-P Chief Minister Sohail Afridi expressed sorrow over the loss of lives.
He said the provincial government stood with the grieved families and was providing the best treatment to the wounded. He gave his assurance for all the help to the affected families.
Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Information Shafi Jan said that he was deeply saddened by the incident.
“Rescue 1122 and other agencies immediately launched rescue activities as workers from nearby districts were also involved in relief work as best treatment was made certain to the wounded,” he said.
“The chief minister also ordered the best treatment for the injured persons and vowed to provide every possible support,” he added.
