KWSC flags hydrant gaps before Gul Plaza blaze

KARACHI:

CEO of Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation Ahmed Ali Siddiqui has revealed in his report to the Gul Plaza Judicial Commission that the Water Corporation had formally written to the Fire Brigade prior to the tragic fire, requesting proper water supply and hydrant connections.

According to the report, a letter dated December 26 instructed the Fire Brigade to install water storage tanks and obtain formal connections for hydrants. Siddiqui said that no response has yet been received from the Fire Brigade.

Siddiqui noted that during the Gul Plaza fire, seven legal hydrants were used to supply water to firefighting operations. The Water Corporation's focal person received the fire alert at 11:13pm, after which water bowsers were immediately dispatched. Initially, bowsers were sent from Nipa, Safoora, and Sakhi Hassan hydrants. As the fire intensified, additional bowsers were called from other hydrants. Continuous water supply was maintained from 11:56pm onwards.

Siddiqui clarified that the Corporation's primary responsibility is city water supply, and maintenance of firefighting hydrants and pressurised water distribution is the mandate of KMC and Fire Brigade. Nevertheless, the Water Corporation cooperates with the Fire Brigade in emergencies and provides six hours of daily water supply to the Central and Saddar fire stations.