One dead, five injured as fire erupts at hotel in Lahore's Gulberg

LAHORE (Dunya News) - A sudden fire broke out in the basement of a local hotel in Gulberg, Lahore, resulting in the death of a man, while five others sustained burn injuries.

Rescue teams safely evacuated 180 people from the building.

According to Rescue officials, the body of Imran has been recovered from the hotel.

A spokesperson for Rescue 1122 Punjab said that a CCTV operator, Shahryar, is still missing, while nearly 200 remaining staff members are safe.

All hotel guests have been successfully rescued.

Rescue authorities further stated that the building is a 19-storey plaza spread over four kanals, with three basement levels.

Basement I has been severely affected by the fire, and search and rescue operations are ongoing.

Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman, speaking at the scene, said the fire was confined to the hotel’s basement and firefighting efforts are underway.

He confirmed that 180 people had been rescued and that no one remains inside the building.

He added that those injured due to the fire have been shifted to hospital, sufficient water is present inside the basement, and the blaze is expected to be brought under control soon.

A man identified as Humayun, who exited from the hotel’s 14th floor, said he was on the 14th floor when the fire broke out and managed to escape using the stairs.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed gratitude to Rescue 1122 teams for safely evacuating all 180 people trapped inside the Gulberg hotel.

On the chief minister’s directives, the provincial ministers, Chief Secretary, Director General LDA, and Deputy Commissioner Lahore are present at the site.

Instructions have been issued to continue the rescue operation until every individual is safely evacuated.

At present, Rescue 1122 teams are conducting a full inspection of the building.