Massive fire breaks out near Merewether Tower

Panic ensued as residential buildings nearby stood at risk of catching the flames

KARACHI: A massive fire erupted in an old building near Jilani Centre near Merewether Tower, Kharadar on Monday night. At least five fire tenders and a snorkel were sought to extinguish the blaze. Two persons sustained burn injuries but fortunately, no fatalities were reported.

The flames also spread to the nearby mobile market, Jilani Centre. All residents of nearby buildings evacuated their flats amid fear of the escalating situation.

Hundreds of area residents, shopkeepers and their staff reached the spot and started relocating their belongings.

The fire officials said that the fire started from a newly established restaurant and spread to the surrounding building.

“The fire broke out at around 11pm,” said an area resident, Ghulam Mustafa, as he scrambled around in search of help. “I have to inform my family members to evacuate the building.”

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The seventh and ninth floors of Jilani Centre seemed to be the priority of the fire tenders as the officials present at the scene told The Express Tribune that it would be very dangerous and uncontrollable if they couldn’t extinguish the flames there. “We can easily control the building which is already under fire but would be in a difficult situation if it enters the offices of the mobile market,” a fire tender officer commented.

With the help of a snorkel, the fire officials doused the flames of the mobile market floors. It took almost two hours to control the flames that had disturbed the residents of the building living around the spot.

“We have voluntarily evacuated the building,” said a resident, who was accompanied by a minor. He said that all the residents have left their belongings. “We want to save our lives. That’s our priority,” he commented, praying that the flames do not engulf their building. He said that there was smoke in different flats of the building.

Police and Rangers along with other officials also reached the spot. Pedestrians and area residents started capturing live fire scenes and made it almost difficult for rescue workers to easily move.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 25^th, 2019.