Firefighter dies in line of duty as death toll rises to six; President, PM calls Sindh CM, offers condolences
Smoke billows from Karachi’s Gul Plaza after a massive fire. Photo: INP
KARACHI:
The fire that engulfed Karachi’s famous Gul Plaza bazaar on Saturday could not be brought under control till late Sunday night as it claimed the lives of six people, including a fireman, and caused losses running into millions of rupees.
According to an official tally, at least 59 people – including women who were inside the market when the fire broke out – were still missing, to the horror and anguish of their families.
The fire, which started around 10:15 pm on Saturday at the market on Karachi’s MA Jinnah Road, quickly escalated into a third-degree fire that engulfed the entire ground plus three floors of the building.
Flames and smoke were still visible from the upper floors even late on Sunday evening despite the fact that fire officials, assisted by the Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Air Force and KPT personnel, had made frantic efforts to douse the blaze for over 24 hours.
According to fire department officials, firefighting efforts were hampered by heavy smoke, structural damage and repeated flare-ups, but 80% of the fire was extinguished by the time the report was filed.
The fire destroyed nearly 40 percent of the market, including about 1,200 shops and warehouses, with goods worth millions of rupees reduced to ashes.
Officials said water and foam were used to control the fire. Due to concerns that parts of the building could collapse, firefighters carried out rescue operations with extreme caution.
A tragic incident took place on Sunday morning when a Karachi Municipal Corporation (KMC) fireman was crushed under debris after part of the square collapsed during rescue operations.
The fireman was identified as Furqan Ali. After a strenuous effort, his body was retrieved from the rubble and taken to the Civil Hospital for official procedures.
So far, authorities have confirmed six deaths, including that of the firefighter. Three had died of suffocation, while two were found charred in the building. Over 30 people were reportedly injured or affected by smoke inhalation and panic during the fire.
Following the incendiary incident, police and Rangers had cordoned off the area to ensure unauthorized persons were kept away from the site.
A help desk established by the Southern District Commissioner collects data on missing persons. Many families of those feared trapped in the debris were present near the site, praying for the safety of their loved ones – visibly distraught.
Fire officials said the first priority was to control the fire and begin the cooling process, after which search and rescue operations will begin. They added that it is too early to estimate how long these operations will take.
Shopkeepers, victims’ families and the general public lamented the loss of lifetime savings and questioned responsibility for the tragedy as the incident trended on social media.
Meanwhile, both President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued separate statements expressing their grief and deep sorrow over the tragic incident and conveying their condolences and sympathies to the bereaved families.
The President directed the Sindh government and relevant authorities to provide immediate support to the affected people and traders. He also stressed that the injured should receive all possible medical treatment.
The prime minister also directed that all measures should be taken to ensure the protection of people’s lives and property. He said that all possible assistance should be extended to the affected traders and other individuals and urged all relevant departments to work together in the rescue operation.
Zardari and Shehbaz both paid tribute to martyred fireman Furqan Ali.
Later, both the President and the Prime Minister also called Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah.
In his call, Zardari asked CM Shah to assess the situation and stressed that all available resources must be deployed to ensure success in rescue and firefighting operations.
The President also urged the Prime Minister to leave no stone unturned in providing medical attention to the injured and rehabilitation to affected families.
He stressed the need to enforce fire safety laws and modernize inspection systems for commercial and residential buildings to prevent such tragedies in the future.
In his telephone conversation with Shah, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the loss of life as he offered full federal support to the Sindh government.
He said he had already taken immediate notice of the fire and directed federal agencies to fully assist the Sindh government. The Prime Minister emphasized that the federal government stands with the victims and the Sindh government in this hour of grief.
He further stated that a coordinated and effective system is essential to quickly bring fires under control in densely populated urban areas and the federal government is ready to assist the provincial government in establishing such a system to prevent future incidents.
