Owner of blast-wrecked building arrested

CCTV footage shows 3.47am blast during sehri in Soldier Bazaar's Gul Rahna Colony

KARACHI:

Police on Friday registered a case and arrested the owner of a building that collapsed following an explosion allegedly caused by gas leakage in Gul Rahna Colony, Soldier Bazaar. At least 16 people, including women and children, were killed and 14 others injured in the tragedy.

The FIR was lodged on behalf of the state against the building owner, Muhammad Irshad, under sections pertaining to culpable homicide, damage to property, negligence, and other charges. He has been formally arrested and handed over to the investigation police for further probe.

The FIR states that in the early hours of February 19, police received information that a building in Street No 5, Gul Rahna Colony, Churri Maidan, had collapsed. The incident resulted in multiple casualties. It was reported that a portion of the 40-square-yard building had caved in. The building had been constructed as a ground-plus-three structure using TR girders and tiles.

According to the complaint, the wife of a first-floor resident, Shahid, identified as Zeb-un-Nisa, lit a stove to prepare sehri when a fire erupted, triggering a powerful explosion. Due to a faulty gas pipeline and leakage, the room had filled with gas. As soon as a match was struck, the accumulated gas ignited, causing the blast. The explosion led to the collapse of rooms on three floors.

A report by the Bomb Disposal Squad confirmed that a defective gas pipeline had leaked, leading to gas accumulation in the room. The blast occurred when the gas ignited upon lighting a match.

The FIR further states that the building had been illegally constructed in 2007-08 using tiles and TR girders.