A fire broke out at the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s building in Islamabad on Friday evening, sending smoke through the administrative block before firefighters brought the blaze under control within roughly half an hour. No injuries have been reported.
How the Incident Unfolded
According to multiple sources, the fire erupted at around 6:35 pm on the ground floor of the Supreme Court’s administrative block. The first fire brigade vehicle reportedly reached the site within about five minutes of the alert, and rescue personnel brought the fire under control after approximately 35 minutes. Capital Emergency Service (CES) and CDA firefighting teams led the response, with around 20 personnel taking part in the operation. Cooling and smoke-clearance work continued at the site even after the flames themselves were extinguished, with thick smoke lingering inside the administrative block well after the fire was out.
What Caused It
Sources cited across multiple outlets attributed the fire to an electrical short circuit, though official confirmation of the exact cause and the full extent of any damage had not been released as of the latest reporting.
A Brief Delay at the Gate
One detail that surfaced in initial reporting was a short delay in the fire brigade’s access to the site — police reportedly stopped fire brigade vehicles at the Supreme Court’s main gate initially, due to the building’s standard security protocols, before they were allowed through to respond to the blaze. Despite that brief holdup, the response time from initial alert to firefighters arriving remained around five minutes.
Response and Oversight
The Assistant Commissioner and Additional Deputy Commissioner General were present at the scene and monitored the emergency response throughout the operation. According to the CDA spokesperson, the firefighting teams’ priority throughout was protecting human life and property, with post-fire safety checks continuing after the blaze was contained to ensure the area was fully secure.
What We Still Don’t Know
- The precise office or section within the administrative block where the fire originated
- The full extent of physical or document damage caused by the fire and smoke
- Official confirmation of the short-circuit cause from Supreme Court or CDA authorities
- Whether any court records, case files, or equipment were affected
Final Thoughts
With no injuries reported and the fire brought under control within roughly 35 minutes of breaking out, this incident appears to have been contained quickly despite the sensitivity of the location. The remaining open questions — particularly around the exact cause and any damage to records or equipment — will likely become clearer as the Supreme Court or CDA release further details in the coming days.
