LAHORE - Dozens of residences and shops were evacuated amid the fear of poisonous emission from a multi-story chemical godown which caught fire in the walled city late Friday night, police and rescue workers said.
A rescue official claimed that smoke mixed with poisonous gas, presumably of ammonia, spread in the entire locality soon after fire erupted in the five-storey building located inside Delhi Gate. Initial reports said that at least five people fainted due to poisonous gas.
Fire-fighters rushed to the site but were unable to launch the rescue operation as the heavy vehicles and machinery could not be moved into alleys. The rescue workers were waiting for the special masks to enter the area before starting the operation.  Senior officials including the district coordination officer went to the site to supervise the search and rescue operation.
Official say there is a possibility that people are trapped in the burning building.
The cause of the fire could not be ascertained. However, fire-fighters say they believe the fire broke out because of short-circuiting.