Kabul Tower blaze leaves 3 dead 42 injured

KABUL (Pajhwok): Three people have been killed and 42 others injured after a fire erupted in a multiple storey building in capital Kabul on Thursday night, an official said on Friday.

Public Health Ministry Spokesman Wahidullah Majroh told Pajhwok Afghan News the incident happened in Kabul Tower building situated on Abdul Haq Square in the limits of 9^th Police District.

He said 42 injured had been shifted to the hospital with 6 of them in critical condition.

An eyewitness told Pajhwok Afghan news the fire in the Kabul Tower building followed by a huge blast.

Another eyewitness, wishing anonymity, said the fire inflicted heavy losses to the families living in the Kabul tower. He said several shops and equipment turned to ashes in the incident.

Haji Zerak, the owner of Kabul Tower, said the fired erupted as a result of leakage in the gas pipe at Ahmad Yar’s Gas and Petrol Station situated besides the building.

He said the fire engulfed the Barg Restaurant first and then transferred to the multiple storey building.

He added 90 percent of the Kabul Tower has been damaged as a result of the last night fire and inflicted $20 million loss.

Jamshid, the owner of Barg Restaurant also acknowledged the fire caused by a leakage in the gas pipe. He added the fire erupted when the gas was being excavated from the pump station.

He said 50 apartments had been damaged as a result of fire in the building.

But the patrol station owner said had the fire erupted at the patrol station then why the facility was not burnet in the fire.

Police and interior ministry official could not be reached for comment.

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