3 dead, 16 injured from fire in shopping centre at Karachi's MA Jinnah Road: rescue officials

Injured moved to Civil Hospital Karachi for treatment; emergency imposed at Nipa, Safoora hydrants; Rangers deployed

KARACHI:

Three people were killed and 16 were injured after a fire broke out at a shopping centre on Karachi's MA Jinnah Road on Saturday night.

A statement from Rescue 1122 said it received information about the fire at Gul Plaza, following which fire and rescue teams, along with ambulances and fire brigade trucks, were immediately dispatched to the scene.

“The operation to control the fire is ongoing,” a Rescue 1122 spokesperson said.

A statement from Chipa Foundation spokesperson Chaudhry Shahid Hussain said three people died due to suffocation while 16 were injured, adding that they were taken to Civil Hospital Karachi for treatment.

Karachi's Chief Fire Officer Humayun Khan said that all shops and godowns on the ground floor were gutted, adding that "firefighters are using foam to extinguish the blaze".

Visuals showed plumes of smoke in the night sky as the blaze reached the third floor and shopkeepers rushed to salvage their wares.

A statement from the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation said the fire brigade and Rescue 1122 requested its immediate assistance to ensure an uninterrupted water supply, adding that an emergency was imposed at the Nipa and Safoora hydrants.

It said water tankers were promptly dispatched to the site and Hydrants Cell In-charge Muhammad Siddiq was in constant coordination with the fire brigade and rescue officials.

The statement further said that another official was personally supervising the operation and an uninterrupted water supply was being ensured to the fire brigade to extinguish the fire.

"The supply of water tankers will continue until the fire is completely controlled. All possible cooperation is being provided with the rescue agencies to protect the lives and property of the citizens," the statement said.

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar ordered the senior superintendent of police for City district to take immediate rescue measures.

"Traffic alternative routes should be made for the safe passage of citizens. Find out the causes of the fire through investigation and research. The Gul Plaza building should be completely safe and secure and the fire should be prevented from spreading," the home minister ordered in a statement, adding that routes should be cleared for the access of fire brigade vehicles and personnel to Gul Plaza.

 

According to a statement from the Sindh Rangers spokesperson, rapid-response units have been deployed to the site at the director general's special instructions.

It added that Rangers personnel were working alongside the fire brigade to assist in firefighting efforts and rescue operations, with officers and soldiers remaining present at the scene until the operation's completion.

The statement further said that a heavy contingent was deployed to cordon off the affected building to ensure public safety and maintain smooth traffic flow in the area, adding that, in addition to fire tenders, Rangers personnel were actively engaged in evacuating people trapped inside the building and safeguarding valuable property.

“The top priority is to protect human lives and prevent the fire from spreading further,” the Sindh Rangers spokesperson said.

Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab expressed grief over the deaths and expressed solidarity with the affected families. He directed all departments of the administration to remain alert.

"All possible assistance and immediate rescue should be provided to the victims so that further loss of life can be avoided," he said in a statement.

Sindh Governor Kamran Tesori expressed concern over the fire and directed the relevant agencies to expedite rescue and relief operations immediately. He also sought an immediate report on the incident and said all possible cooperation would be extended to traders and individuals affected by the fire.

He also later arrived at the site to inspect the relief, rescue and firefighting operations.

Health Minister Mustafa Kamal also expressed grief over the deaths and said the injured should be provided with immediate and quality medical treatment.

"The federal level is ready to provide all possible assistance to the Sindh government. Rescue agencies should take urgent steps to safely evacuate people trapped in the affected building. Controlling the fire as soon as possible and preventing further loss of life should be the top priority," he said.

Kamal added that provincial and city governments should make fire brigades and rescue operations more effective.

The incident comes after a massive fire at the Karachi International Container Terminal on Keamari Port’s West Wharf engulfed more than 20 containers on Friday.