Fire at EPZ raises safety concerns

No casualties reported as 13 fire tenders and snorkels battle the blaze for over three hours

KARACHI:

A major fire broke out on Monday at a used clothing factory located within the Landhi Export Processing Zone (EPZ), quickly escalating in intensity and sending thick plumes of black smoke into the sky, visible from several kilometers away.

The inferno has once again raised concerns about safety standards at industrial units.

The blaze erupted on the second floor of a factory identified as ZA Enterprises. Upon receiving the alert, KMC Fire Brigade and Rescue 1122 teams—including ambulances and fire tenders—rushed to the scene to initiate firefighting operations.

According to a spokesperson for Rescue 1122, the fire was confined to the second floor of the Ground+2 building. Fortunately, no casualties were reported as most of the staff had already left the premises following the end of the work shift at 5pm.

A total of 13 fire tenders, two snorkels, and multiple water bowsers were deployed to combat the inferno. Firefighters battled the flames for more than three and a half hours before successfully containing the fire to the second floor, preventing it from spreading to the rest of the unit.

An EPZ spokesperson present at the site confirmed that while four fire tenders reached the location immediately after the fire started, the arrival of snorkels was crucial in bringing the situation under control.