Fire at Karachi’s Gul Plaza kills 6, injures 20; blaze still not fully under control

A massive fire broke out late on Saturday night at the Gul Plaza shopping mall on MA Jinnah Road in Karachi, killing at least six people, including a firefighter, and injuring 20 others, officials said on Sunday, as firefighters continued efforts to bring the blaze under control.

Rescue officials said the deaths were caused by suffocation due to heavy smoke inside the building. Twenty people were injured, several of them in critical condition, and were shifted to Civil Hospital Karachi. The deceased were identified as Asif, Faraz and Aamir, while the identities of two others were being confirmed.

The chief fire officer said all shops and warehouses on the ground floor were engulfed in flames. The fire was declared a third-degree blaze, prompting authorities to call fire tenders from across the city. Trapped people were being rescued using snorkels, he said.

Officials said the fire had spread up to the third floor of the shopping plaza, which also has a basement market. Rescue authorities warned that the building had become structurally weak due to the fire and could collapse at any time.
The president of the Gul Plaza Traders Association said between 80 and 100 people were still believed to be inside the building.

Rescue 1122 spokesperson Hassanul Haseeb Khan said reports of a fire near shops at Gul Plaza were received, after which fire and rescue teams, along with ambulances and fire brigade trucks, were dispatched to the scene. “Efforts to control the fire are ongoing,” he said.

Chief Officer Humayun Khan stated that approximately 40% of the fire had been brought under control.

According to Express News reporter Mohammad Shah Mir Khan, the fire broke out around eight hours earlier and firefighting efforts were continuing, but the blaze kept flaring up despite sustained attempts by rescue teams.

Firefighters and rescue workers had so far been unable to enter the building due to the intensity of the fire, he said, adding that parts of the structure, including pillars, had started collapsing.

The Water Board said the fire brigade and Rescue 1122 sought immediate assistance, after which an emergency was imposed at the NIPA and Safoora hydrants on the instructions of CEO Ahmed Ali Siddiqui. Water tankers were rushed to the site, and hydrants cell in charge, Mohammad Siddique Tanio, remained in constant contact with rescue officials.

The board’s spokesperson said the CEO focal person for the hydrants cell, Shehbaz Bashir, was personally supervising the operation, ensuring an uninterrupted water supply to firefighters. Water tankers would continue operating until the fire was fully extinguished, he said.

The Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed sorrow over the fire incident at Gul Plaza in Karachi. All possible measures should be taken to protect people’s lives and property, the prime minister said.

He directed that all possible assistance be provided to the affected traders and other individuals. The prime minister instructed that all relevant departments work together in the rescue operation.

He said he shared in the grief of the families of those who lost their lives, also directed that all necessary medical facilities be provided to the injured and prayed for their speedy recovery.

Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and heavy financial damage caused by the fire. He offered condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery for the injured.

He directed the Sindh chief minister and Karachi mayor to use all available resources for firefighting and rescue operations and ordered a transparent investigation to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah took strict notice of the fire incident at Gul Plaza, also referred to as Shining Plaza. He directed the Karachi commissioner to conduct an immediate inquiry into the incident and submit a detailed report on the causes of the fire.

Expressing profound grief over the loss of lives, the chief minister ordered an inspection of fire safety arrangements in the building and directed strict enforcement of fire safety laws.

He warned that action would be taken against those found guilty of negligence or carelessness. He also instructed authorities to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured and ordered immediate fire safety audits of commercial buildings across Karachi.

Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori visited the site, met affected traders and reviewed the rescue and relief operations. He issued immediate instructions regarding the assessment of losses and rehabilitation measures.

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar directed authorities to take immediate rescue measures and create alternative traffic routes to ensure safe access. He ordered an investigation to determine the cause of the fire and instructed officials to secure the building, prevent the fire from spreading further and clear access routes for fire brigade vehicles.

Sindh Rangers also joined the rescue operation on the special instructions of the director general of Rangers Sindh, deploying teams to assist in relief efforts, a spokesperson said.

Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said the federal government was ready to provide all possible assistance to the Sindh government.

He directed hospitals to ensure prompt and quality medical care for the injured and said rescuing trapped people and controlling the fire were top priorities.

Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon expressed deep sorrow over what he termed a tragic incident. He said government machinery had been present at the site since the night and all available resources were being utilised to control the fire.

Memon said 40 snorkel vehicles were participating in the operation, adding that the fire had largely been brought under control and cooling operations were underway. He said the government would not be satisfied until the cooling process was completed 100 per cent.

He said a full inquiry was underway to determine the cause of the fire and a fact-finding report would be prepared to guide future action. Fire brigade teams, snorkels and rescue agencies reached the site immediately after the incident and used modern equipment, including high-reach snorkels, foam and cooling systems.

He said all relevant departments were continuously monitoring the situation, and after a full assessment of losses, the government would decide on further steps. He added that the government would extend cooperation to traders and other affected people within the framework of law and regulations.

“At present, the government’s top priority is rescue work, completion of the cooling process and protection of human lives,” he said.

Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab also expressed grief over the casualties, saying fire brigade and rescue teams were present at the site and operations were ongoing. He placed all departments of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation on alert to ensure immediate assistance to those affected.

On the mayor’s instructions, KMC heavy machinery reached the site under the supervision of Municipal Commissioner Syed Muhammad Afzal Zaidi. KMC officials said rescue operations were being directly monitored and more machinery had been kept on standby if required.

Sindh Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah visited the site and inspected the ongoing rescue operation. He was briefed by the Deputy Commissioner South and Rescue 1122 officials on measures being taken to control the blaze.

The chief secretary directed authorities to further accelerate rescue efforts and ordered the deployment of all available fire tenders along with additional rescue personnel.

Sindh Assembly Speaker Syed Awais Qadir Shah and opposition leader Ali Khurshidi also expressed condolences, calling the incident a tragedy and urging faster rescue efforts, effective fire prevention measures and full support for victims and their families.