Two killed in fire at Lahore hotel, probe launched

A fire at the Indigo Hotel in Lahore, Pakistan, killed at least two people on Saturday as emergency teams continued search and rescue operations, officials said.

Rescue 1122 spokesperson Farooq Ahmed said the deaths were confirmed by hospital authorities. The victims were identified as Shehryar, around 25 years old, and Imran, around 30.

The blaze was reported to the Rescue 1122 Command and Control Centre at 12:25 p.m., prompting an immediate response from firefighting and rescue teams. Officials said 21 emergency vehicles and more than 80 personnel were deployed to control the fire and evacuate occupants.

The 19-storey hotel near Hussain Chowk in Gulberg spans four kanals and includes three basement levels. Rescue teams said Basement One suffered severe damage. About 275 hotel staff and guests were evacuated, and seven people were rescued from heavily affected areas.

Rescue 1122 said one person suffered 30 to 40 percent burn injuries and was taken to Services Hospital, while others received first aid at the site. Search operations continued after hotel management reported missing staff members, including a CCTV operator.

Punjab Emergency Services Secretary Dr. Rizwan visited the scene to oversee the response. Provincial Energy Minister Faisal Ayub Khokhar, Chief Secretary Punjab Zahid Akhtar Zaman, Lahore Commissioner Maryam Khan, and Deputy Commissioner Lahore Ali Ejaz also visited the site.

Khokhar said the fire was under control and cooling operations were underway, adding that all guests had been evacuated. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.