Mayor's office goes up in flames

Suspected short circuit sparks blaze at KMC headquarters; no casualties reported

KARACHI:

Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab's office went up in flames at the KMC head office on MA Jinnah Road on Tuesday morning, with a suspected electrical fault turning his chamber into a scene of destruction before firefighters brought the blaze under control after nearly an hour.

Two fire tenders brought the blaze under control after nearly an hour. According to fire brigade officials, the fire started in the kitchen on the first floor and spread to the adjoining mayor's office, causing extensive damage.

Fire officials suspected that the blaze may have been caused by an electric short circuit.

After the incident, Mayor visited the fire site where he was briefed by the municipal commissioner and chief fire officer.

Speaking to the media, Wahab said, investigators were determining whether it was caused by a short circuit in the electric wiring or due to a short circuit in the air conditioner.

"The preliminary assessment suggests that a short circuit occurred in the AC of my room. The room had wooden fittings and false ceiling, which caused the fire to spread quickly," he said.

Wahab said the furniture in his office was completely destroyed, while his chamber and the adjoining conference room remained safe. The mayor also dismissed concerns about the loss of important official records, saying important files were not kept in his office.