Karachi Shopping Mall Fire Claims Six Lives, Rescue Operations Continue
A devastating fire ripped through Gul Plaza, a multi-storey shopping mall on Karachi's busy MA Jinnah Road, late Saturday night. The blaze killed at least six people, including one brave firefighter. Rescue teams worked through the night and into Sunday, fearing several others remained trapped inside the burning structure.
Fire Erupts During Closing Time
Sindh Inspector General of Police Javed Alam Odho confirmed the fire broke out around 10:45 pm. This timing proved particularly dangerous as most shopkeepers were either closing their stores or had already left for the night. Rescue 1122 spokesperson Hassaanul Haseeb Khan reported approximately twenty people had been pulled from the building and rushed to hospitals for treatment.
Khan emphasized the rescue operation faced significant challenges due to the mall's complex layout. "Once cooling operations begin, we will start further rescue efforts," he explained. "The building design presents difficulties with its basement, mezzanine floor, and hundreds of shops and stores."
Firefighters Battle Intense Blaze
Television footage captured dramatic scenes as firefighters in protective gear battled fierce flames shooting from windows and balconies. Thick black smoke billowed into the night sky, visible from several blocks away. Dozens of fire engines deployed ladders, water cannons, and hoses to reach upper floors of the burning mall.
Officials revealed the fire spread rapidly after igniting in an area where shopkeepers stored imported garments, clothing, and plastic household goods. These flammable materials fueled the intense blaze. Firefighters pressed forty snorkels into service, managing to bring about sixty percent of the fire under control by Sunday afternoon.
Structural Damage Complicates Rescue
The fire caused severe structural damage to Gul Plaza. Rescue officials observed cracks appearing in the mall's walls, while one side of the building reportedly collapsed completely. Poor ventilation and sealed windows allowed smoke to fill the interior spaces, severely hindering rescue operations and creating dangerous conditions for both trapped individuals and rescue teams.
Concerns About Trapped Individuals
Sindh Labour and Social Protection Minister Saeed Ghani expressed grave concerns that many people could still be inside the building. District South Deputy Commissioner Khoso echoed these worries, stating, "There are fears that people remain on the first and mezzanine floors. Rescue teams have not yet been able to access these areas."
Inspector General Aslam suggested a short circuit might have caused the fire, though investigators will determine the exact cause once the blaze is fully extinguished. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah ordered an immediate inquiry into the incident, directing Karachi Commissioner Hassan Naqvi to investigate and submit a detailed report.
National Leaders Express Grief
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari both expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of lives. This deadly fire has once again turned attention toward poor fire safety standards in Karachi, where similar mall fires have occurred repeatedly. A November 2023 fire at another Karachi shopping mall killed ten people, highlighting persistent safety concerns in the city's commercial structures.
Rescue operations continue as teams work against time and challenging conditions to search for any remaining survivors in the damaged shopping complex.
