Staircase of 180-year-old building collapses in Lea Market

10 persons stranded on the top floor were rescued unharmed

KARACHI:

The staircase leading to the top floor of a 180-year-old residential building collapsed in the Lea Market area within the jurisdiction of Napier police station on Sunday night. At least 10 people, including women, got trapped on the top floor of the collapsed structure and were rescued unharmed.

As per details, the staircase in the three-story building named Abdul Rahman, located on Street Bheempura near the old city quarters came down with a huge explosion.

Staircase in the three-story building named Abdul Rahman, located on Street Bheempura near the old city quarters came down. PHOTO: EXPRESS

Police, Rangers, fire brigade, and Rescue 1122 rushed to the scene as soon as they were alerted about the incident. The trapped residents were rescued, along with their animals from the roof.

Shahid Hussain, a resident of the building, said that his grandmother acquired the property from a Hindu man in 1941. Following her demise, the building was inherited by her three sons Sadiq Ali Abdur Rehman, Mohammad Ali Abdur Rehman, and Anwar Ali Abdur Rehman. Presently, five children of the three sons live in the building with their families.

Staircase in the three-story building named Abdul Rahman, located on Street Bheempura near the old city quarters came down. PHOTO: EXPRESS

Hussain complained about the lack of inspection and declaration of the building's condition by the Sindh Building Control Authority, stating that despite the building's robust structure, it had not undergone any official evaluation. He added that while the residents had invested in interior repairs and decoration, exterior maintenance had been neglected.

Rescue 1122 confirmed that the staircase of the building, constructed in 1843, collapsed due to wear and tear.

Staircase in the three-story building named Abdul Rahman, located on Street Bheempura near the old city quarters came down. PHOTO: EXPRESS

Published in The Express Tribune, May 13^th, 2024.