Massive fire at H-9 Sunday Bazaar leaves hundreds of stalls damaged

A major fire broke out at the Sunday Bazaar in Islamabad’s H-9 sector, damaging hundreds of stalls before firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control late at night. According to the district administration, the fire spread rapidly through several sections of the market. However, timely rescue efforts prevented any loss of life despite the scale of the incident.

Officials said Rescue 1122 deployed six fire tenders to tackle the blaze. The Pakistan Navy Fire Brigade also joined the operation and assisted emergency teams in bringing the fire under control. Authorities said the fire affected around nine sections of the market and damaged more than 380 stalls. Initial estimates suggest financial losses of approximately Rs12 crore.

Also Read: Imran Khan meets Bushra Bibi in Adiala Jail

The H-9 Sunday Bazaar is one of the largest markets in the federal capital and consists of 2,743 stalls. Many shopkeepers suffered heavy losses as goods and property were damaged in the fire. The incident has once again raised concerns about fire safety measures at the market. Officials are expected to investigate the cause of the blaze and review existing safety arrangements.

This is the fourth major fire incident reported at the H-9 Sunday Bazaar in the past three years. In July 2024, another major fire destroyed 625 stalls, causing substantial financial losses to traders. The repeated occurrence of such incidents has intensified calls for stronger safety measures and improved emergency preparedness to protect businesses, traders, and visitors at the popular marketplace.