Underground gas pipeline explodes in Bath Island

Panic gripped residents of Clifton's Bath Island area after an underground gas pipeline exploded, triggering a fire and loud blasts in the locality.

According to rescue officials, three successive explosions were reported in Gulshan Faisal, located in the Bath Island area of Clifton. The blasts, believed to have been caused by a gas leak, spread fear among residents, forcing many to rush out of their homes. Soon after the explosions, flames erupted from the underground gas pipeline.

A team of the fire brigade reached the scene upon receiving information about the incident. Fire officials said the blaze intensified due to continuous gas pressure, adding that the fire could not be fully extinguished until the gas supply was shut off. As a precaution, two fire tenders of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation were deployed at the site to prevent any untoward incident.

Rescue authorities said that relevant agencies were contacted immediately. Fire officials also appealed to the Sui Southern Gas Company to send its team promptly and cut off the gas connection so that the fire could be controlled. Local residents complained that the gas utility's staff did not initially respond to calls. However, about one to one-and-a-half hours later, the Sui Southern Gas Company team arrived at the site, shut down the gas supply at the leakage point and began repair work.

One injured

A man was injured after a gas leak triggered an explosion and fire in a residential building in North Karachi on Sunday. The incident occurred at Al-Ghafoor Sky Tower in Sector 11-A, within the limits of Khawaja Ajmer Nagri. Rescue 1122 and fire brigade teams rushed to the scene after reports of a cylinder blast on the ninth floor.

The fire was brought under control in time. According to SHO Faizul Hassan, the blaze erupted around 11:30am, allegedly after a gas stove was left open, causing gas to accumulate and explode. The resident, identified as Usama, sustained burn injuries and was shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. The flat suffered extensive damage.