Fire engulfs 20 floors of under-construction building

KARACHI:

A fire broke out in a 25-storey under-construction building near Bilawal Chowrangi in Clifton, spread-ing from an air-conditioning duct on the seventh floor to the 20th floor before firefighters brought it under con-trol after several hours of effort.

The fire erupted in the building and quickly spread to the upper floors, prompting emergency teams from Res-cue 1122 Sindh and the fire brigade to rush to the scene. A Rescue 1122 spokesperson said the central com-mand and control room dispatched fire and rescue teams, a fire engine and an ambulance immediately after receiving information about the incident.

As the flames spread to higher floors, two additional fire tenders were called in. Water tankers supplied water to the fire engines and snorkel units to ensure that firefighting operations continued without interruption.

CM's Adviser on Rehabilitation Giyan Chand Essrani directed Rescue 1122 to remain on high alert. Officials said the fire originated in an air-conditioning duct on the seventh floor and spread as high as the 20th floor.

As the building was still under construction, no one was believed to be inside at the time of the incident. How-ever, heavy smoke created difficulties for firefighters.