At least six people, including a firefighter, were killed as fire erupted at Gul Plaza Shopping Mall on MA Jinnah Road in Karachi late last night.
Gul Plaza’s ground and mezzanine floors have been completely burned, while the upper two floors are still on fire. The Plaza houses shops dealing in businesses of a wide range of items, including cosmetics, clothes, crockery, perfume, electronics and toys.
As many as 20 fire tenders and four snorkels are taking part in firefighting operations from three sides of the buildings. Though all available resources are used, the materials stored inside the plaza are making it difficult for teams to control the blaze. Moreover, air conditioning shops in the building are posing additional challenges for firefighters.
At least four bodies have been brought to the Civil Hospital Trauma Centre, and two to the Burns Ward. Out of 15 injured people brought to the Civil Hospital Trauma Centre, 14 have been discharged after necessary treatment. The two injured brought to Jinnah Hospital were also discharged.
According to the rescue officials, various portions of the building collapsed this morning as the fire continued raging for hours. They stated that the intense temperature inside the building was hampering rescue and search operations.
They stated that the plaza was sealed from all sides and, as such, it lacked a proper ventilation system, which was making firefighting an uphill task.
Deputy Commissioner South Javed Nabi Khoso stated that rescue teams were not getting access to the first and mezzanine floors, where people were still trapped.
Pointing to the lack of any emergency exit, he said that an investigation was underway to find out the reason for the absence of such an important facility in the building. He also identified the absence of fire extinguishers in the building.
“We will check the map and other things with the relevant institutions”, he stated.
Earlier, authorities had said that hours of firefighting efforts had stopped the blaze from spreading further, but it had nevertheless reached the third floor before being contained. Soon after the fire brigade said the fire had been contained, it erupted again on the first floor.
A powerful explosion took place inside the premises, after which the blaze further broke out. The chief fire officer stated that it was caused by gas leakage.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed sorrow and grief over the incident and directed taking all possible steps to protect people’s lives and properties. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also expressed sorrow over the loss of precious human lives and property damages in the incident. He offered condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the blaze.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has directed the Commissioner Karachi to immediately probe the incident and submit a detailed report. He directed the strict implementation of fire safety laws in commercial buildings.
