At least six people, including a firefighter, were killed and 20 others injured after a third-degree fire broke out at Gul Plaza, a commercial building located on MA Jinnah Road in Karachi. Despite hours of firefighting efforts, the blaze could not be brought under control, and parts of the building collapsed due to the intensity of the fire.
According to rescue officials, the fire erupted around 10:15 pm on Saturday on the ground floor of Gul Plaza and quickly spread to the third floor. The ground floor shops were completely gutted by the flames.
Rescue sources said that one firefighter, identified as Furqan, was among the deceased. Four other victims were identified as Faraz, Kashif, Aamir and Shahroz, while the identity of one victim was yet to be confirmed. The bodies and injured were shifted to nearby hospitals, where several of the wounded were reported to be in critical condition.
Fire brigade officials said that efforts to extinguish the fire were ongoing with the help of 20 fire tenders and four snorkels, using both water and foam. Fire tenders from the Pakistan Navy also joined the operation. However, extreme heat made it difficult for firefighters to enter the building.
Chief Fire Officer stated that a powerful explosion occurred inside the building, which caused the fire to spread further. Initial findings suggest the explosion was caused by a gas leak.
Rescue authorities warned that the fire severely weakened the building’s pillars, causing cracks to develop in multiple areas. Given the structure’s old condition, there is a serious risk of collapse. The shopping plaza reportedly houses more than 1,200 shops, and the presence of inflammable materials intensified the blaze.
Rescue officials added that it was difficult to determine how many people were still inside the building. During the rescue operation, two individuals were injured after fire brigade ladders broke.
