Key Takeaways:
– A fire broke out on the fourth floor of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) building.
– The fire was caused by a short circuit and was quickly brought under control.
– Trading activities were temporarily suspended, and there were no casualties.
In a significant incident, a fire broke out on Monday morning on the fourth floor of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) building in Karachi. The blaze, triggered by a short circuit, prompted an immediate response from rescue teams.
Swift Response
Rescue teams quickly arrived at the scene and commenced efforts to control the fire. Fire officials deployed five fire tenders, a snorkel, and a browser to tackle the flames. While the fire was initially intense, it was rapidly brought under control. As a precautionary measure, trading activities at the PSX were temporarily halted.
Temporary Suspension of Trading
Jawad H Hashmi, the General Manager and Chief Market Operations Officer at PSX, announced the suspension of trading from 10:25 am to 11:25 am due to the incident. The building was immediately evacuated, and access was temporarily restricted for several firms. After ensuring the situation was safe, the building was reopened.
Minimal Damage and No Casualties
Fortunately, no casualties were reported in the incident, though there was some material damage. The Deputy Commissioner South, who visited the site, confirmed that the fire was not severe. This incident follows several recent fire outbreaks in Karachi, exacerbated by current heatwave conditions.
Conclusion
The swift response by rescue teams and the effective handling of the situation ensured minimal disruption and no loss of life. The PSX building is now fully operational, and trading activities have resumed.