- Fire damages four apartments on the 10th floor and affects the roof of the 9th floor.
- Rescue teams used fire guns, bowsers, snorkels to control the fire.
- The police are collecting evidence and searching the affected area on suspicion of arson.
KARACHI: A gas cylinder explosion sparked a fire in a residential building near Hyderi in north Nazimabad on Sunday, leaving one child dead and four others injured as the fire damaged several apartments on the 10th floor, rescue officials said.
Rescue officials said the body of the child was recovered from the debris, bringing the death toll in the incident to one. Four people, including a woman and a girl, were injured in the incident. Three of the injured were reported to be in critical condition and were taken to hospital.
According to police and rescue personnel, the explosion happened inside an apartment on the 10th floor. The explosion damaged the roof of a ninth-floor apartment and also affected the building’s elevator.
The fire spread to four apartments on the 10th floor, prompting an immediate evacuation of the building. Police said the apartment complex was cleared after the incident.
Rescue 1122 personnel entered the building to carry out rescue operations. Initially, a snorkel had not arrived, but later four firefighters, a bowser and snorkel vehicles were deployed to control the fire.
Authorities said electricity to the building was cut off as a precaution, while emergency officials confirmed all residents were safely evacuated.
After several hours of firefighting, officials said the fire had been brought under control and cooling operations were underway.
SSP Central Dr. Imran Khan was present at the spot and the surrounding road was cleared for emergency operations.
Police and other relevant authorities have started collecting evidence and conducting a search of the affected area to determine the exact cause of the explosion.
