Teenager killed, five injured after gas explosion triggers high-rise building fire in Karachi

• Fire damages four flats on 10th floor and affects roof of 9th-floor.
• Rescue teams used fire tenders, bowser, snorkels to control blaze.
• Police collect evidence and search affected area, suspecting arson.

KARACHI: A gas cylinder explosion sparked a fire in a residential high-rise near Karachi’s Hyderi in North Nazimabad on Sunday, killing a 15 to 16-year-old boy and injuring five others, including a woman and a child, according to rescue and police officials.

Rescue officials said the body of the teenager, identified as Burhan, was recovered from the debris, taking the death toll to one. Deputy Commissioner Central Taha Saleem, during a media briefing, said that five people were injured in the incident, of which three were reported to be in critical condition and were shifted to the hospital.

According to police and rescue officials, the explosion occurred inside a flat on the 10th floor. Rescue 1122 said the blast damaged the roof of a flat on the ninth floor and also damaged the building’s lift, while DC Saleem said the lift collapsed due to the blast.

Officials said the blast damaged at least two flats, and the adjoining flat was also affected. The blaze further spread on the 10th floor, prompting an immediate evacuation of the building. Rescue officials confirmed all residents were safely evacuated, and police said the complex was cleared for emergency operations.

Firefighting was carried out with the help of four fire tenders, a water bowser and two snorkels, rescue officials said, adding that electricity to the building was disconnected as a precaution. The chief fire officer said three people, including a child and a woman, were rescued from the building as operations continued.

Meanwhile, SSP Central Dr Muhammad Imran Khan, who was present at the site, said initial information suggests the blast was caused by a gas cylinder explosion, adding that gas cylinders were found in the flat where the blast occurred. He said the bomb disposal squad would determine the exact nature of the explosion.

Rescue officials said falling debris also damaged several vehicles parked beneath the building. After several hours, officials said the fire was brought under control and cooling operations were underway, while police and relevant authorities began collecting evidence and searching the affected area.

They further added that the search operation had been completed and work to remove debris had begun, while DC Central said teams from the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) would inspect the building.

Karachi has seen a string of serious fire and blast incidents in recent weeks. Earlier this week, rescue officials said a cylinder-related blast in a three-storey building in Soldier Bazaar No 3 killed at least 16 people, including four children and six women, and injured 14 others after part of the building collapsed.

Earlier this month, authorities said a fire at an eight-storey residential building near the Baloch Colony flyover was brought under control after a precautionary evacuation.

In January alone, Karachi reported 225 fire incidents, according to figures cited by The News, resulting in widespread damage, injuries, and loss of life.

The trend has continued into February, with more than 20 fire incidents reported in the first five days of the month, underlining the city’s ongoing vulnerability. On a single day earlier this month, fires were reported at six different locations across Karachi. While no human casualties were recorded in those incidents, two animals — a cow and a buffalo — sustained burn injuries.

The deadliest of the recent fires occurred on January 17, when a massive blaze at Gul Plaza claimed 79 lives, including women and children, and left at least 22 others injured, according to official figures.