A devastating pre-dawn fire ripped through a residence in Lahore, Pakistan, on Wednesday, tragically claiming the lives of ten people, including six children. The majority of the victims were members of the same family.

According to Lahore's Deputy Inspector General of Police, Ali Nasir, the deceased include two women, two men, and six children aged between 6 and 16. While the exact cause remains under investigation, authorities suspect an electrical short-circuit may have ignited the blaze in the densely populated Bhati Gate neighborhood.

The image above depicts the scene following the fire incident in Lahore, Pakistan, on July 12, 2023. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his profound grief over the tragic loss of life. This incident underscores the critical need for improved fire safety measures in Pakistan, where the use of smoke detectors and other preventative technologies remains uncommon. Fires in residential buildings and public spaces, unfortunately, occur with some frequency.