KARACHI:
A massive fire broke out late on Saturday night at the Gul Plaza shopping mall on MA Jinnah Road in Karachi, killing at least six people, including a firefighter, and injuring 20 others, officials said on Sunday, as firefighters continued efforts to bring the blaze under control.
The Sindh government has set up a helpline for public assistance. Any information related to the fire or reports of missing persons can be shared with the Deputy Commissioner South at 0313-5048048, 021-99206372 and 021-99205625.
The public has also been advised to provide details of any missing persons related to the incident on the same numbers.
Rescue officials said the deaths were caused by suffocation due to heavy smoke inside the building. Twenty people were injured, several of them in critical condition, and were shifted to Civil Hospital Karachi. The deceased were identified as Asif, Faraz and Aamir, while the identities of two others were being confirmed.
The chief fire officer said all shops and warehouses on the ground floor were engulfed in flames. The fire was declared a third-degree blaze, prompting authorities to call fire tenders from across the city. Trapped people were being rescued using snorkels, he said.
Officials said the fire had spread up to the third floor of the shopping plaza, which also has a basement market.
The president of the Gul Plaza Traders Association said between 80 and 100 people were still believed to be inside the building.Rescue 1122 spokesperson Hassanul Haseeb Khan said reports of a fire near shops at Gul Plaza were received, after which fire and rescue teams, along with ambulances and fire brigade trucks, were dispatched to the scene. “Efforts to control the fire are ongoing,” he said.
Firefighters and rescue workers had so far been unable to enter the building due to the intensity of the fire, according to our correspondent. He added that parts of the structure, including pillars, had started collapsing.
The Water Board said the fire brigade and Rescue 1122 sought immediate assistance, after which an emergency was imposed at the NIPA and Safoora hydrants on the instructions of CEO Ahmed Ali Siddiqui. Water tankers were rushed to the site, and hydrants cell in charge, Mohammad Siddique Tanio, remained in constant contact with rescue officials.
The board’s spokesperson said the CEO focal person for the hydrants cell, Shehbaz Bashir, was personally supervising the operation, ensuring an uninterrupted water supply to firefighters. Water tankers would continue operating until the fire was fully extinguished, he said.
Sindh CM briefed on Gul Plaza fire by Karachi commissioner, DC South
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah was presented with a report by the Karachi Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner South regarding the fire incident at Gul Plaza.
According to the briefing, the fire broke out between 9:45pm and 10:15pm. More than 1,200 shops were gutted in the blaze. After firefighting efforts, 60 to 70 per cent of the fire was brought under control.
The chief minister was informed that six people lost their lives in the incident, while 22 others were injured. All the injured were shifted to the Burns Ward of Civil Hospital Karachi.
The rescue operation involved 22 fire brigade vehicles, 10 water bowsers and four snorkel vehicles, while Rescue 1122 deployed 33 ambulances during the operation.
Expressing deep grief over the loss of precious lives, the chief minister extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. He also expressed sorrow over the heavy financial losses caused by the incident.
Paying tribute to the firefighter who lost his life while battling the blaze, Murad Ali Shah said the firefighters risked their lives to save citizens.
The chief minister directed that the injured be provided with the best possible medical treatment and ordered that rescue and cooling operations continue until the fire is completely extinguished.
He instructed the district administration, police and rescue agencies to continue operations until the situation fully returns to normal. He also ordered an investigation into the causes of the fire and directed that safety measures be further strengthened to prevent such incidents in the future.
The chief minister said all institutions must remain alert and prepared to protect lives and property, adding that the Sindh government had not abandoned the trader community in the past and would not do so now.
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of lives,” he said.
‘Circuit breaker likely cause’
Inspector General of Police Sindh, Javed Alam Odho, visited the site of the massive fire at Gul Plaza and received a detailed briefing from police, rescue and fire brigade officials. The SSP City briefed the IGP on joint measures taken to extinguish the fire and carry out rescue operations.
Reviewing the coordinated response by police and rescue agencies, the IGP directed that rescue efforts be made more effective and accelerated to prevent further losses.
He said police and rescue teams were jointly engaged in relief activities and that operations would continue until the area was declared completely safe.
The IGP said the preliminary cause of the fire appeared to be a faulty circuit breaker, though the final cause would be determined after completion of cooling operations and a technical assessment.
He said that upon receiving information about the incident, the concerned deputy commissioner and SSP City immediately reached the site and have been supervising rescue and firefighting operations since the night.
Due to the intensity of the fire, around 1,200 shops, along with the basement and camp area of the plaza, were affected. The IGP said security in the area had been further tightened and precautionary measures adopted to ensure rescue operations were not hindered.
Five civilians lost their lives in the incident, while one firefighter was martyred during rescue efforts. Paying tribute to the fallen firefighter, the IGP said the officer sacrificed his life to save others, calling it a great act of bravery. He saluted all firefighters for their courage and dedication.
The IGP added that a formal inquiry would be launched after the fire was fully extinguished and cooling was completed, to help prevent similar incidents in the future.
President, PM grieve over Karachi fire
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif have expressed profound grief over the tragic fire incident in Karachi.
In their separate statements, they extended their condolences over the loss of precious lives and conveyed heartfelt sympathy to the families of the victims.
The President and Prime Minister directed the Sindh government and authorities concerned to provide immediate and comprehensive assistance to the affected individuals and traders.
They emphasized that every effort should be made to ensure the injured receive the best possible medical care.
Governor, chief secretary visit site
Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori visited the site, met affected traders and reviewed the rescue and relief operations. He issued immediate instructions regarding the assessment of losses and rehabilitation measures.
Sindh Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah visited the site and inspected the ongoing rescue operation. He was briefed by the Deputy Commissioner South and Rescue 1122 officials on measures being taken to control the blaze.
The chief secretary directed authorities to further accelerate rescue efforts and ordered the deployment of all available fire tenders along with additional rescue personnel.
Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and heavy financial damage caused by the fire. He offered condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery for the injured.
He directed the Sindh chief minister and Karachi mayor to use all available resources for firefighting and rescue operations and ordered a transparent investigation to prevent similar incidents in the future.
