Fire at Karachi's Korangi Creek extinguished after 18 days

The unabated fire that raged for over two weeks in Karachi’s Korangi Creek area has finally been extinguished, concluding a 18-day episode that drew widespread attention.

The blaze, which began on March 29 following a 1,200-foot-deep borehole drilling, raised serious concerns about the nature and volume of underground gases fuelling it.

Although the flames have subsided, gas emissions continue from the pit, causing water — initially used by firefighters — to erupt at the site. The situation remains unstable, with hot water and visible vapours still emerging from the ground.

In response, the Ministry of Petroleum established a special committee to test for methane gas and consulted Cudd Well Control, a US-based global expert in emergency well response.

Technical teams from Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) and United Energy Pakistan Limited conducted a joint visit, noting that the fire's intensity had remained unchanged for days, indicating a potentially significant underground gas reserve.

The crater has widened due to sand displacement and overflowing water. Preliminary chemical analysis of the water from the site has revealed dangerous levels of chemicals, including benzene, toluene, tetrachloroethylene, and o-xylene.

Tetrachloroethylene was recorded at 33 µg/L, far exceeding the safe limit of 5 mg/L. Benzene levels reached 19 mg/L — nearly four times the permissible amount — while toluene was found at 15 µg/L.

Although hydrocarbons were within allowable limits, experts warn that the presence of these hazardous substances poses ongoing environmental and health risks.

Further investigations are underway to assess long-term hazards and identify the exact source of the gas leak.