Officials say dozens may still be trapped as fire spreads to upper floors of MA Jinnah Road mall
KARACHI:
A massive fire broke out late Saturday night at the Gul Plaza mall on MA Jinnah Road in Karachi, killing at least five people and injuring 20 others, officials said on Sunday, as firefighters continued efforts to bring the blaze under control.
Emergency 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 confirmed.
The fire chief 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 in fire departments from across the city. Trapped people were 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. Rescue officials warned that the building had become structurally weak due to the fire and could collapse at any time.
The chairman 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 following which fire and rescue teams along with ambulances and fire engines were dispatched to the spot. “Efforts to control the fire are on,” he said.
Chief Officer Humayun Khan said around 40% of the fire had been brought under control.
According to Express News reporter Mohammad Shah Mir Khan, the fire broke out about eight hours earlier and firefighting efforts continued, but the fire continued to flare up despite persistent efforts by rescue teams. Firefighters and rescue workers had so far been unable to enter the building due to the intensity of the fire, he said, adding that parts of the structure, including columns, had begun to collapse.
The water board said the fire brigade and Rescue 1122 sought immediate assistance after which an emergency was imposed at NEPA and Safoora hydrants on the instructions of CEO Ahmed Ali Siddiqui. Water tankers were rushed to the scene and the fire hydrant cell in charge, Mohammad Siddique Tanio, remained in constant contact with rescuers.
The Board’s spokesperson said that the Managing Director’s Liaison Officer for the Fire Hydrant Cell, Shehbaz Bashir, personally supervised the operation and ensured uninterrupted water supply to the firefighters. Water tankers would continue to run until the fire was completely extinguished, he said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the fire incident at Gul Plaza in Karachi. All possible measures should be taken to protect people’s lives and property, the Prime Minister said.
He directed that all possible assistance should be provided to the affected traders and other persons. The Prime Minister instructed that all relevant departments work together in the rescue operation.
He said he shared the grief of the families of those who lost their lives and also ordered that all necessary medical facilities be made available to the injured and prayed for their speedy recovery.
Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar directed authorities to take immediate rescue measures and create alternative traffic routes to ensure safe access. He ordered an investigation to determine the cause of the fire and directed officials to secure the building, prevent the fire from spreading further and clear access roads for fire department vehicles.
Sindh Rangers also joined the rescue operation on special instructions from the Director General of Rangers Sindh and they deployed teams to help in the relief efforts, a spokesperson said.
Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori visited the site, met affected traders and reviewed the rescue and relief operations. He issued immediate instructions for assessment of losses and rehabilitation measures.
Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and heavy economic damage caused by the fire. He offered condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
He directed Sindh Chief Minister and Karachi Mayor to use all available resources for fire fighting and rescue operations and ordered a transparent inquiry to prevent similar incidents in future.
Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab also expressed grief over the victims and said fire and rescue teams were present at the scene and operations were underway. He put all departments of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation on alert to ensure immediate assistance to those affected.
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said the federal government was ready to provide all possible assistance to the Sindh government. He directed hospitals to ensure prompt and quality medical treatment to the injured, saying rescuing trapped people and controlling the fire were top priorities.
On the direction of the Mayor, KMC heavy machinery reached the spot under the supervision of Municipal Commissioner Syed Muhammad Afzal Zaidi. KMC officials said rescue operations were being directly monitored and more machines had been kept on standby in case of need.
Sindh Assembly Speaker Syed Awais Qadir Shah and Opposition Leader Ali Khurshidi also expressed condolences, calling the incident a tragedy and calling for speedy rescue efforts, effective fire prevention measures and full support to the victims and their families.
