Fire-wrecked building reparable, officials say
Efforts are underway by the fire department to to extinguish the flames in furniture shops near Karachi's Ayesha Manzil. SCREENGRAB
The Additional Director General and Head of Technical Committee of Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), along with engineers from PEC and KDA, conducted a detailed inspection of the fire-affected building near Ayesha Manzil on Thursday.
The upper floors remain intact, while the ground floor, sustaining damage, is reparable. No decision on demolition has been made.
In order to inspect and evaluate damages, two officers, technical team including SBCA members entered the building without adopting safety measures and wore no protective gear and spent around one hour on different floors.
Chief Fire Officer Ishtiaq Ahmed Khan highlighted delays in informing the fire brigade about the fire at Arshi Shopping Mall. Lack of awareness, absence of firefighting equipment, and no emergency exit exacerbated the situation. The fire spread to the fourth floor before the fire brigade's arrival.
The chief fire officer emphasised the need for inspections, citing 1,670 fire incidents this year. He revealed plans for targeted inspections, addressing unsettled buildings and a shortage of fire stations in the city.
SSP Central Faisal Abdullah Chanchar stated that the investigation into the cause of the fire at the mall will commence once the rescue operation concludes. Initial evidence suggests a possible electric short circuit, but a thorough investigation will determine the actual cause.
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The SSP confirmed five casualties in the tragedy, with 74 flats and over 130 shops affected.
A Fact Finding Committee will be formed by the government to guide legal actions based on its recommendations.
Victims to be camped in two schools
Caretaker Sindh Chief Minister Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar has directed the district administration to provide emergency accommodations to the Arshi Manzil fire victims.
The central district deputy commissioner has assured of housing the displaced citizens in two government schools till such time their apartment building is cleared for rehabilitation.
Baqar said that the eruption of fire in Arshi Manzil, a six-storey commercial and residential building, at Aisha Manzil is the result of the utter failure, criminal negligence, and inefficiency of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) and other concerned civic bodies and their officers. “Had the SBCA implemented all the building codes, such a huge fire would not have claimed innocent lives and reduced to ashes 74 apartments and 130 shops,” he deplored.
The CM went on saying that he had ordered an inquiry into the incident in which responsibility would also be fixed against the delinquent so that they could be brought to book.
Every building must be equipped with a fire safety system and fire tender route but sorry to say all these important safety measures have been ignored. “I had already issued such orders for carrying out safety and security audits of the public and private buildings so that such incidents could be avoided,” he said and added that he would ensure safety and security audit of all the important buildings so that shortcomings could be overcome.
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The CM vowed support for residents and traders affected by the fire, emphasising the government’s commitment to assessing losses. He instructed the district administration not to permit reoccupation until the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) inspects and declares the building’s status. Temporary camps were directed to be set up for affected people. Only one resident at a time would be allowed to visit and retrieve belongings. The deputy commissioner designated two school buildings to shelter affected families.
The fire, reportedly caused by a short circuit, started in a ground-floor shop at Arshi Manzil, Gulberg. It rapidly spread through shops and residential floors. The Fire Brigade and 1122 Rescue responded promptly, but the intensity delayed extinguishing. Despite successful rescue operations, three casualties were reported. The bodies were transferred to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital by 10:27pm. The CM was briefed on-site by Deputy Commissioner Fawad Soomro, underscoring the collaborative efforts of district administration, police, Rangers, and firefighters.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 8th, 2023.