The fire which erupted at Centaurus Mall in Islamabad on Sunday afternoon was extinguished was brought under control in two hours by the rescue teams, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) said in a series of tweets.

The fire brigade, Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Air Force and Rescue 1122 took part in the firefighting operation, the Capital Development Authority Islamabad quoted CDA Chairman and Islamabad Chief Commissioner retired Capt Mohammad Usman Younis as saying.

“In the wake of the fire incident and in the exercise of powers conferred under Civil Defense Rules 1951 and other enabling provisions of law, the premises of Centaurus Mall, Islamabad, is hereby sealed with immediate effect,” said the order issued by the office of district magistrate.

It requested the CDA to form a committee to determine the “structural capability” of the building. “The shopping mall along with all residential towers will remain sealed till the report of the committee.”

It further requested the federal capital police to cordon off the area till further notice.

Earlier, Aaj News reported that senior police officials, including IG Islamabad Dr Akbar Nasir Khan, administration officers and rescue teams were at the spot while an alternative plan was issued to maintain the flow of traffic.

The rescue teams safely pulled out the people trapped in the shopping mall from the back side of the building, after which the teams conducted a search operation inside the Mall.

Fire brigades and a helicopter were also called to douse the fire.

No casualties were reported by Sunday afternoon. The fire broke out on the 3rd floor of the Mall.

Videos of the fire incident went viral on social media and Centaurus Mall was among the top trends on Twitter.

The office of deputy commissioner Islamabad that the MCI, CDA, Rescue 1122 Rawalpindi and teams of armed forces for timely response to the fire.

Moreover, the Islamabad police have sealed the mall as per the official orders after a search operation.

They added that the fire inside the mall was “under control” and no shop was damaged albeit there were still some flames on the mall’s exterior which were being extinguished.

Taking notice of the incident, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in a tweet said he had ordered institutions and authorities to take immediate action.

“It is very unfortunate that this incident happened in this well-known business centre. I pray that there is no loss of life. Condolences and sympathies for the financial losses of the victims,” he said.

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah also ordered the Islamabad administration and fire brigade to use all resources at their disposal to control the fire.

“The facility of the helicopter from the relevant departments should also be used to extinguish the fire,” he said, directing that the “reasons for the fire should be examined so those responsible could be determined”.

Sanaullah added that a detailed report of the fire should be submitted to the interior ministry.