Lahore- The Punjab Government announced compensation of Rs 5 lacs each for the families of those killed in fire at a commercial plaza in New Anarkali area of Lahore.
An electrical short circuit in the 4-storey Al Khalid Plaza was declared the likely cause of the fire in the Al Kareem Market area of New Anarkali, where mostly watches and clothes are sold. A city government official said 13 people died of suffocation and burns. The deceased include a woman and a child.
Taking notice of the incident, Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif expressed sorrow over the loss and formed a special committee to probe the incident. The chief minister has directed the committee to submit a report on the incident within 24 hours. The Punjab Government has also announced compensation of Rs500,000 each for the families of the deceased and Rs100,000 for each of the injured.