Some of the people trapped in the Gul Plaza Shopping Centre were alive until the next day of the fire and calling for help but rescue workers were not allowed to enter the building, a private ambulance driver claimed on Thursday.
Recording his statement before the single-member inquiry commission headed by Justice Agha Faisal, ambulance driver Ayaz said he reached the Gul Plaza at 10:15pm and rescued the people on the third floor from the ramp side.
He said that only one fire engine was trying to extinguish the fire, adding that the water ran out shortly, and the other fire engine arrived after an hour. He disclosed that some trapped people were alive until the next day of fire but they were not allowed to rescue them. He said the snorkel reached the Gul Plaza after midnight. Only two gates of the Gul Plaza were open, he added.
Ambulance driver Shahid said he reached the Gul Plaza at 10:15pm and saw the fire reaching out of the shops. He said people were standing at the windows and flashing their phone lights to be rescued as smoke was engulfing the building. He said people’s lives could have been saved if the rescue operation had been conducted timely.
Ambulance driver Danial said he worked with private firefighter Danish and rescued seven people from the third floor with the help of ladders provided by the fire brigade. He said the fire brigade does not have any proper fire operation kits, and were only extinguishing fire through water.
He said that several people were trapped in the building but their voices could not be heard due to the heavy smoke. Rescue workers and firefighting officials lacked a chain of command, and they did not know how to control the fire or conduct a rescue operation in the prevailing situation, he added.
The inquiry commission recorded the statements of 23 ambulance drivers who had reached the Gul Plaza after receiving the information of fire. The commission also issued notices to station fire officer of Ranchore Line for recording his statement on March 10.
