Karachi battles multiple factory fires

Three firefighters injured in Landhi inferno, no casualties reported

KARACHI:

A fire broke out at a loom factory in Orangi Town on the first day of Eidul Azha. Teams from the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and Rescue 1122 arrived at the scene and launched efforts to contain the blaze. Fire brigade officials reported that four fire tenders aided the operation.

After an hour, the fire was brought under control and the cooling process was initiated. However, no casualties were reported, the cause of the fire and extent of damage have not yet been determined.

Meanwhile, a fire engulfed three factories in the Landhi Export Processing Zone, causing some parts of the buildings to collapse. The fire was controlled after 30 hours of effort, with the help of 14 fire tenders and two bowsers. The cooling process is underway.

Chief Fire Officer Humayun Khan revealed that the fire broke out on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday, burning with full force in a factory manufacturing cooking oil, sanitiser and perfume. He revealed that, due to the intensity of the blaze, three firefighters were left injured due to steam and gases. The fire officer, Mohsin suffered 23 per cent burns and Safyan and Hamza suffered minor injuries. They were immediately shifted to the burns ward for medical treatment.

Humayun Khan further said that the ongoing operation in the EP zone is being directly led by city Mayor Murtaza Wahab who is taking minute-by-minute information. He claimed that the fire in the factories was controlled in 18 to 20 hours.

Separately, a fire broke out in two chemical and oil warehouses in Mauripur. Eight fire tenders, one bowser, and 40 tankers aided the extinguishing operation, successfully controlling the blaze.

Reportedly, the fire was so intense that explosions from the warehouse continued to echo for two hours, and the roof of one of the warehouses collapsed. However, no casualties were reported. Police are further investigating the incidents.