A fire broke out in the basement of a private hotel in Lahore’s Gulberg area on Saturday, leaving three person dead and seven injured.
The blaze erupted after a boiler exploded during a private college event, when over 300 people were present inside the 19-storey building. Rescue and cooling operations are ongoing as authorities secure the site. Imran, Sheharyar and vendor Riaz were among the deceased.
Rescue 1122 spokesperson Farooq Ahmed said teams immediately reached the scene after receiving the emergency call. More than 20 rescue vehicles were deployed to manage the situation.
Smoke is still present in basement one, and rescue personnel are actively conducting a search operation. The hotel administration reported that two people remain missing. Rescue teams continue to check the basement thoroughly to locate anyone trapped.
CCTV operator, Shehryar, has been rescued from the hotel following the fire in the Gulberg area. Rescue officials reported that his condition is extremely critical, and he has been immediately shifted for medical treatment.
Casualties and hospitalisation
Officials confirmed that two individuals, identified as Imran and Sheharyar, died in the fire. Six others were injured and shifted to nearby hospitals, including Mubeen, who worked in ground operations and is now out of danger.
DIG Operations Faisal Kamran said the fire has been effectively controlled and confirmed that rescue teams are continuing their efforts to find the missing individuals. An investigation will be conducted to determine the exact cause of the blaze.
Eyewitness accounts
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes inside the hotel. Several reported that no fire alarm went off after the blaze began.
“When the door was opened, there was only smoke outside,” one eyewitness said. Emergency exit gates were closed, and the hotel administration did not guide people toward exits, forcing guests to escape with great difficulty.
The incident occurred in a 19-storey plaza with three basements, with basement one severely affected. Over 300 people were present, and more than 200 have been safely evacuated.
The fire has now been brought under control, with cooling operations underway. Rescue teams continue to search basement one for the missing individuals. Officials confirmed that the fire originated from a boiler explosion, and rescue personnel remain on-site conducting a thorough search.
CM Maryam Nawaz commends rescue teams
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed her gratitude to the entire rescue team for their prompt and coordinated efforts.
The chief minister mobilized the entire administration, ensuring that all necessary resources were available at the site. Provincial Minister Faisal Khokhar, Chief Secretary, DG LDA, and DC Lahore were also present to oversee the operations.
Maryam Nawaz emphasized that the rescue operation must continue until the entire building is inspected and everyone is safely evacuated, giving clear instructions to the authorities on-site.
CM Maryam paid tribute to the rescue personnel for their professionalism and courage. She highlighted that saving 180 lives is not a coincidence, but a result of the government’s ‘Safe Punjab’ vision and the presence of an active hydrant system in the building.
“Saving 180 lives is a great success of the government and rescue agencies,” she added, praising the coordination between various departments and rescue teams.
