Chemical warehouse goes up in smoke in Karachi

At least eight people sustained burn injuries when an intense fire broke out in a chemical warehouse in Haroonabad, Sindh Industrial and Trading State (SITE) on Saturday morning.

The blaze, assisted by strong winds, spread rapidly and engulfed the entire warehouse, as clouds of smoke rose to mar the sky above it.

Firefighters struggled for four long hours before they were finally able to extinguish the blaze. While the firefighting operation was underway, the police reached the site of the incident and cordoned off the warehouse, barring citizens from going near the unit.

Besides, the Pakistan Navy and Karachi Port Trust (KPT) dispatched fire tenders to the warehouse to assist in the firefighting operation.

Moreover, Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) managing director Asadullah Khan arranged for private water tankers to ensure uninterrupted water supply during the operation. He also declared an emergency on Nipa and Sakhi Hassan water hydrants.

Six fire tenders and one snorkel of the fire department, two fire tenders of the Pakistan Navy, two fire tenders of the KPT and private water tankers were employed to put out the fire.

Khan said several water tankers had been dispatched to the area and officials from the hydrant cell had also been sent to help extinguish the blaze.

Meanwhile, the injured were shifted to Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital for treatment.

Soon after the fire broke out, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah took notice of the incident and directed Karachi administrator Laiq Ahmed to ensure that the fire was put out immediately and there was no loss of life.

Later, Sindh Industries Minister Jam Ikramullah Dharejo sought a report on the incident from the SITE managing director.

In a statement, Dharejo said factory owners needed to take measures to ensure the safety of their employees and bring in place preventive measure to reduce the chances of such incidents. He warned of strict legal action against elements found responsible for such hazards.

Separately, the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) issued an advisory outlining recommendations for protection against toxic fumes that contaminated the air in the area in the aftermath of the fire.

Area residents have been advised to stay away from the burnt warehouse so that they remain unaffected by toxic fumes emitting from the debris.

They have been further asked to keep themselves hydrated, wear masks and keep the doors and windows of their houses closed. Area residents may approach the nearest district administration office in case of an emergency, the advisory says.

Moreover, hospitals in the warehouses’ vicinity have requested to provide immediate medical assistance to area residents if the need arises.

The cause of fire couldn’t be ascertained till the filing of this report.