- Ffinal report to be submitted to Sindh CM.
- The fire broke out around 10.15pm on 17 January.
- Rescue teams, fire department responded “promptly”.
KARACHI: Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi has completed the investigation report on the devastating Gul Plaza fire which will be submitted to Sindh Chief Minister Muard Ali Shah which revealed that 79 lives were lost in the tragedy, sources said Pakinomist news.
The committee comprising the commissioner and Additional IG has prepared the report, the sources said on Wednesday.
Karachi’s biggest fire in more than a decade broke out on January 17 and quickly spread through the sprawling shopping complex famous for its 1,200 family-owned shops selling wedding wear, toys, crockery and other goods.
According to sources, the report describes the causes of the fire, the actions of the fire brigade, rescue operations and the emergency response. It also contains information from victims, eyewitnesses and rescue officers.
The fire broke out at 10.15pm on January 17, with the fire service alerted at 10.26pm. The first fire tender arrived at the scene within 11 minutes at 22.37, while Deputy Commissioner Syd arrived at 22.30, and the Rednings 1122 staff arrived at 22.53.
Investigators found that the fire started in a flower shop on the ground floor, caused by a child, and quickly spread through air conditioning (AC) ducts to other parts of the building. The tragic incident claimed 79 lives, with the majority of deaths occurring on the mezzanine.
Meanwhile, the search for the deadly mall fire culminated after 10 days of arduous rescue and relief efforts, and the burned mall was sealed off on Tuesday.
A first information report (FIR) was later registered at the Nabi Bux police station with provisions relating to negligence and carelessness.
Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar said there were concerns of sabotage or terrorism but the case was not clear and anti-terror provisions would be added in the FIR if there was sufficient evidence.
Sindh CM Shah has also announced plans to rebuild shops at the site within two years and said the remaining part of Gul Plaza would be demolished.
