Five die, over 20 sustain burns in Karachi plaza fire

KARACHI (Dunya News) – Five people died and over 20 sustained injuries when a plaza caught a fire on MA Jinnah Road here on Sunday, with traders showing concern over ineffective firefighting efforts, Dunya News reported here.

More deaths are feared as several people are trapped in the plaza. Traders blamed the government for inaction, which caused casualties and losses worth billions of rupees. They demanded compensation and effective measures to prevent such incidents in future.

The blaze took place in the ground and first floors of Gul Plaza on Jinnah Road. Initial report suggested that five people had lost their lives after suffocation and stampede.

Sindh Interior Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar have taken notice of the plaza fire and issued directives for route clearance to reach out to the fire site by the firefighters and Rescue 1122 to douse the inferno at the earliest.

More than 12 fire vehicles are taking part in the operation to control the fire. According to rescue officials, three of the dead have been identified as Aamir, Asif and Faraz.

The injured have been shifted to hospital, with reports that many of them are precarious condition.

Fire brigade officials said the intensity of the fire is continuously increasing, adding the fire has engulfed several more shops, efforts are underway to control the fire with the help of 14 vehicles, while people are being evacuated from the plaza.

Rescue officials said that there were reports of several people being trapped in the shopping plaza.

The fire also engulfed the shops on the ground and first floors. Many people in the plaza took shelter on the roof. The number of shops in the shopping plaza is more than 1,000.

INEFFECTIVE OPERATION RILE TRADERS

Talking to the media, the president of the traders association, Tanvir Pasta, said nearly 80 and 100 people are believed to be trapped inside the building after the deadly fire.

All customers exited the building, but staff and shopkeepers were still thought to be inside, said Pasta, adding that the building houses 1,200 shops and the fire has caused losses worth billions of rupees.

The traders’ leader criticised the response from senior government officials, saying neither the chief minister nor the mayor of Karachi contacted the traders. "Only Governor Sindh has come so far, no one else," he said.

He claimed that no rescue personnel had yet entered the building, and that fire continues to burn on three sides of the structure.

The fire reportedly started in a shop selling artificial flowers located at the ground floor, he added.

MINISTER ZIAUL HASSAN LANJAR

Taking notice of the fire in Gul Plaza, the Sindh Home Minister directed the relevant authorities to prevent the fire in the building from spreading and to find out the causes of the fire.

He also directed to set up alternative routes for the immediate evacuation of citizens.

SORROW OVER LOSS OF LIFE

Mayor of Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab expressed deep sorrow and regret over the loss of life due to fire in Gul Plaza and said that he stands with the grieving families in this difficult time.

He said that fire brigade and rescue teams are present at the scene, and relief operations are underway. He directed all departments of the Greater Municipality to remain alert and provide all possible assistance to the victims.

DANGEROUS CRACKS IN BUILDING

COO Sindh Emergency Service Rescue 1122 Dr Abid Jalaluddin Shaikh said 20 fire tenders and four snorkel vehicles are currently engaged in the operation, adding that firefighting foam is also being used to control the flames.

He added that a portion of the building’s rear side has collapsed, increasing the risk for both trapped individuals and rescue workers.

The presence of air conditioning shops in the building is creating additional challenges for firefighters, he said.

The fire started at around 10:15 pm, according to the chief fire officer.

The emergency call was received by Rescue 1122 at 10:38 pm, after which fire and rescue teams rushed to the scene, according to the official.

The blaze quickly spread inside the old building because of certain flammable material stored there, he said, confirming that due to the intense heat, a pillar of the building collapsed, raising fears that more parts of the structure could cave in.

Rescue authorities said the fire was classified as a third-degree blaze, meaning it was very difficult to control.

TRAFFIC CHAOS

Authorities have closed the MA Jinnah Road to regular traffic between Anklesaria Chowk and Central Plaza whilst emergency operations continue.

Traffic is being diverted from Tibet Chowk towards Jubilee, according to Karachi Traffic Police.
 

The story is developing