Fire damages plastic, textile mills in Karachi

Govt failed to learn lesson from past tragedies, says NTUF general secretary

KARACHI: A plastic factory was gutted in a fire on Friday in New Karachi Industrial Area, partially damaging two other adjoining textile production facilities.

According to the New Karachi fire brigade office, the fire was reported at 4:56am and the rescue team rushed to the scene. The office said that seven fire tenders were involved in dousing the flames. The fire was not completely put out until the filing of this story.



The exact cause of the fire will be determined after the fire fighters and investigators are able to go inside the factory, according to Deputy Chief Fire Officer Imtiaz Afzal

"At least eight workers were inside the factory but they were rescued," Afzal added.

Small plastic balls were produced at the factory and the fire reduced the place to the rubble, incurring a loss of millions of rupees. It also affected two adjoining factories where, according to reports, textile related products were produced.



The National Trade Union Federation (NTUF) and Ali Enterprises Factory Fire Affectees Association reacted strongly to the fire and criticised the authorities for not taking measures to handle the fire cases effectively.

NTUF Deputy General Secretary Nasir Mansoor said that the government has not learnt any lesson from the Baldia factory and Gadani oil tanker tragedies.

"This is criminal negligence of the government and its institutions," said Mansoor.