Death toll in Hattar industrial zone gas fire rises to eight

HARIPUR: At least eight members of the same family, including women and children, were killed and five others injured after a gas pipeline leak triggered an explosion and fire at the Hattar Industrial Estate in Haripur, officials said on Friday.

The blaze erupted after a leak in a main gas pipeline ignited, engulfing nearby areas and sparking panic among residents, Haripur Deputy Commissioner Haripur Waseem Ahmed said.

“Eight people have died and five were injured. All the victims belong to a single household,” Ahmed said, adding that the injured included two children and three women.

He said that six people were rescued alive during the operation, which has now been completed, with no one left trapped under the debris.

The victims included three boys, two girls, two elderly women and one man, according to rescue officials.

Authorities evacuated nearby labour colonies and residential areas to prevent further casualties, while the road leading to Hattar from the interchange was closed to traffic.

Gas supply from Wah Cantonment was suspended, forcing nearby factories to halt operations.

Firefighting efforts continued for nearly five hours, with rescue teams from Haripur and neighbouring districts, including Peshawar and Abbottabad, battling the flames amid strong winds and darkness.

“The fire had spread on a large scale and there was a risk of further escalation, which could have caused significant damage,” Ahmed said, adding that the blaze had now been brought under control.

Police, rescue officials and senior officers remained at the scene throughout the operation.

Rescue officials said the bodies and injured were shifted to hospital for identification and medical treatment.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident and said a full inquiry report would be made public.