Islamabad Hotel
Islamabad – April 11, 2025: A fire broke out on Friday at a private hotel located in Islamabad’s high-security Red Zone, where teams participating in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) are currently staying. The incident prompted a swift emergency response, successfully averting a major crisis ahead of the PSL season opener.
According to officials from the Capital Development Authority (CDA), the fire originated in the cooling system situated on the fifth floor of the hotel building. The cause of the malfunction is under investigation, but authorities have indicated that the fire was contained before it could spread further.
CDA Director of Emergency Services, Zafar Iqbal, confirmed that six firefighting vehicles and a team of 50 firefighters were dispatched to the scene. “Our firefighters managed to control and extinguish the blaze within 30 minutes,” he stated. “Thanks to the rapid response, there was no significant damage to the structure or threat to the guests.”
Reassuring PSL stakeholders and fans, Pakistan Super League CEO Salman Naseer confirmed that all players, franchise staff, and officials remained safe throughout the incident. “None of the players or teams faced any difficulties,” he said in a statement. “The fire was successfully extinguished in time and did not affect the hotel’s interior. All necessary precautions were taken immediately.”
Emergency services were quick to isolate the affected area, preventing any disruption to the teams’ preparations. Hotel management is cooperating with local authorities to ensure all safety protocols are reviewed and reinforced moving forward.
The incident comes just ahead of the highly anticipated start of the tenth edition of the PSL. Defending champions Islamabad United are scheduled to face two-time winners Lahore Qalandars in the tournament opener, promising an exciting kickoff to the domestic cricket season.
Authorities have confirmed that the event schedule remains unchanged, and the opening match will proceed as planned. Safety measures have been further heightened around the hotel and match venues in light of the incident.
