Summary Rescue officials say the flames have been completely put out and no loss of lives has been reported.
RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) – Raging flames engulfed five star hotel Pearl Continental (PC) in Rawalpindi late Monday night. Numerous people were trapped in the hotel due to the blaze with several losing consciousness due to the smoke. 40 people were safely evacuated from the hotel building. Rescue officials say the flames have been completely extinguished and no loss of lives has been reported.
District Coordination Officer (DCO) Sajid Zafar stated that the fire started in the basement floor of the hotel. The DCO further added that no information can be given on the presence of foriegners in the hotel. He stated that cause of fire is being investigated. The DCO said that action shall be taken against the flawed safety arrangements.
People were earlier seen hanging from the windows of the fourth and fifth floor of the hotel in order to save their lives. The army was called in to assist with the rescue effort.
Rescue officials say two fire tenders and a skylift were used during the rescue effort. Initial efforts to battle the blaze were hampered by the dense smoke.
