Six children injured as school van bursts into flames in Karachi

Residents claimed that within minutes, flames engulfed van and turned it into ashes before the fire brigade arrived

A major tragedy was narrowly averted in Karachi Monday morning when a school van caught fire in Nazimabad No 3, near Quba Mosque, moments before it was to leave for school with several children onboard.

According to the police and eyewitnesses, the van suddenly burst into flames inside a narrow street, quickly engulfing the vehicle. Residents, including women, rushed to the spot and began rescuing the children trapped inside. In the process, the driver and a local resident sustained burn injuries.

At least six children, including siblings Dawood and Aishal Muzzammil, were injured. They were rushed to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital and then immediately shifted to the Burns Ward of the Civil Hospital.

Hospital sources confirmed that three children were later discharged after treatment, while nine-year-old Aishal remains under care at the burns unit.

Eyewitness Faisal told The Express Tribune that the incident occurred at around 7:45 am when the van had just stopped to pick up two girls. "Flames erupted so suddenly that the driver barely managed to escape. The children began screaming, and the neighbourhood guard alerted others. Together, we rescued around a dozen children," he said.

Residents claimed that within minutes, flames engulfed the van and turned it into ashes before the fire brigade arrived. One resident even used a water pump and hose from his house to try to extinguish the blaze. They added that the van was not equipped with an LPG cylinder, however, the fire may have caused by a short circuit or a petrol leak from the temporarily fitted fuel can in the front near driver seat.

The injured children's uncle mentioned that the petrol was leaking from the can and the driver was checking it when a spark caused the fire. He further said that the school administration had not contacted the parents after the van did not reach the school.

Residents also complained that neither police nor the fire brigade reached the scene in time. The Nazimabad SHO confirmed that the police had summoned the van owner for questioning and that initial investigation suggests the fire erupted due to overheating or an electrical short circuit. The van driver has gone missing after the incident, and a search is underway.