Karachi Gul Plaza fire: What we know so far

Sindh Inspector General of Police Javed Alam Odho revealed on Sunday that the fire which broke out at the Gul Plaza shopping mall on MA Jinnah Road may have been caused by a short circuit.

At least six people have died in the blaze, while rescue teams and firefighters continue working to bring it under control, officials said.

Speaking to the media at the incident site, IG Odho said the fire erupted at around 10:45pm on Saturday and has caused significant damage to the plaza, which houses nearly 1,200 shops and includes a basement.

“Once the fire is fully extinguished and the cooling period is complete, we will allow only rescue teams inside. Following that, as the situation improves, we will launch a formal inquiry to determine the exact cause of the fire, which currently appears to be an accidental short circuit,” he said.

The Sindh police chief urged the public to keep clear of the site, adding: “Apart from firefighters and professional security personnel, such as the police and administrative officers, kindly keep your distance from the site.”

Detailing the rescue operations, Odho praised the firefighters’ efforts: “Our firefighters worked exceptionally hard all night; I salute them and commend their efforts. Regrettably, there have been six fatalities so far. One of these was a firefighter who was martyred while carrying out rescue duties.”

He highlighted the challenges posed by highly flammable materials stored in the plaza, including resin decoration pieces, blankets, and carpets, which contributed to the persistence of the fire.

“Unfortunately, the layout and construction of the market, combined with the nature of the goods stored inside, like carpets, blankets, and various resin-based items, have caused the fire to continue smouldering,” Sindh IGP said.

“We will wait for the experts from the Fire Department to provide a definitive report. The Karachi commissioner has formed a team to look into the possibility of a short circuit and other factors,” Odho added.

CM orders probe

Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has taken notice of the incident, directing Karachi Commissioner Hassan Naqvi to immediately inquire into the incident, find out the reasons behind the fire and submit a report.

Issuing directives for fire safety arrangements in the building to be checked, CM Shah ordered a strict implementation of fire safety laws.

“Fire safety audit should be conducted immediately in commercial buildings of Karachi,” the provincial chief executive stressed.