Lahore Indigo Hotel fire: preliminary report issued; cause identified

LAHORE: Divisional authorities have revealed preliminary findings regarding the recent fire at the Indigo Hotel, pointing to a gas leak as the likely cause. According to the initial investigation report by the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) and other relevant agencies, the hotel management may have violated several safety regulations.

The report indicates that a boiler installed on the B-1 floor of the hotel, which was reportedly running on an LPG cylinder, may have leaked gas, sparking the fire. The hotel’s heating and cooling needs were being met by an HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system, also located on the B-1 floor. While the HVAC system was approved to operate using Sui gas, investigators allege that the management had been using an LPG cylinder instead.

This unauthorised use of LPG is believed to have caused the HVAC system sensors to malfunction, ultimately leading to a gas leak. Authorities emphasized that this appears to be the main reason behind the fire, although further investigations are still underway to determine the full extent of negligence and any additional contributing factors.

Officials have not yet commented on potential legal action or penalties against the hotel management, but the preliminary findings have raised serious concerns about compliance with fire safety and gas usage regulations in commercial establishments across the city. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have assured the public that stricter enforcement of safety protocols may follow to prevent similar incidents in the future.