Karachi: Fire at Radio Pakistan building, transmissions suspend for hours

CNews KARACHI: The century old heritage building of Radio Pakistan located on the main artery of the metropolis, M. A. Jinnah Road badly damaged in a blaze on Sunday. The transmissions were suspended for several hours due to the blaze.The fire broke out at Radio Pakistan Karachi Station this morning around 10:45 hours. A fire official said it is believed that a short circuit caused the fire. Being Sunday a number of children along with others were present for recording of a weekly children's programme. They were safely evacuated, officials said.Two dozen fire fighting vehicles of the city government and a snorkel and fire fighers from KPT, DHA and Clifton Cantonment struggled for three hours to bring the blaze under control.City Naib Nazim Nasreen Jalil, DCO Karachi Javed Hanif, prominent social worker Maulana Abdul Sattar Edhi were also present at the place. The volunteers of Khidmat Khalq Foundation, Hilal-e-Ahmar, Chheepa Welfare and other organization were also reached the place. Station Director of Radio Pakistan Iqbal Faridi has said that the fire has destroyed the control room, switch room and about 14 studios. The century old precious record, which was at the first floor, of the building was undamaged.