- Extreme heat blocks entry, survivor search remains suspended.
- 20 fire tenders, snorkels deployed as flames re-erupt at mall.
- Explosion from gas leak worsens fire, collapse risk persists.
Firefighting efforts remain ongoing at a Karachi shopping mall as authorities battle the aftermath of a massive blaze that erupted on Saturday night, killing at least five people and injuring more than 20 people.
The chief fire officer said that around 60% of the blaze at Gul Plaza has been brought under control, but firefighters are still unable to enter the building due to extreme heat.
He added that the intense temperature inside the structure is preventing internal access, hampering rescue and search efforts.
The officer further said that the plaza is sealed from all sides and lacks any proper ventilation system, complicating firefighting operations.
The firefighting operation was temporarily paused in the early hours of Sunday before being resumed 15 minutes later.
The death toll rose to five after rescue officials recovered two more bodies from the burning building following hours of firefighting, as authorities declared it a third-degree fire.
Fire brigade officials feared that several people were still trapped inside the mall.
Authorities have deployed more than 20 fire-tenders and three snorkels to control the flames, said fire brigade officials. Later, the Pakistan Navy’s firefighters, along with their snorkels, joined the operation.
The fire started on the mezzanine floor at 10:15pm on Saturday night and quickly spread to the ground and first floors, the officials said.
They added that hours of firefighting efforts had stopped the blaze from spreading further. However, the raging fire reached the third floor before being controlled.
Soon after the fire brigade said the fire had been contained, conflagration again erupted with long flames coming out from the first floor.
Video footage showed flames engulfing several shops as firefighters worked to extinguish them.
The chief fire officer said that people trapped inside the shopping mall were evacuated with the help of snorkels.
A powerful explosion took place inside the premises after which the blaze further broke out, according to the chief fire officer, adding that the explosion was caused by gas leakage.
Pakistan Rangers personnel have also arrived at the scene and are taking part in rescue efforts alongside other emergency services, according to a spokesperson for Sindh Rangers.
The cause of the blaze is yet to be ascertained.
Building at risk of falling
Sindh Emergency Service Rescue 1122 COO Dr Abid Jalaluddin Shaikh said that firefighters are currently busy working from all three sides of the building to control the massive blaze.
Talking to Brackly News, he said that 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.
“We cannot say at this stage how many people are still trapped inside the building,” Dr Shaikh said.
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.
Casualties
Hospital authorities confirmed that they have three bodies, with 18 injured people being treated.
The deceased have been identified as Faraz, Kashif and Amir, according to the hospital administration. They were shop owners who were whisked in an injured state to the hospital, where they succumbed to their burn injuries.
The fourth deceased has been identified as Shehroz, according to rescue sources.
Most of those affected suffered from suffocation or sustained injuries as they fell down while trying to escape the blaze, hospital officials said.
DIG South says several people evacuated
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) South Asad Raza said 25 people were evacuated from the building
The fire spread quickly because many shops in the market contained large quantities of clothing, plastic, and cosmetic items, the senior police officer said.
Five snorkels and 20 to 25 fire brigade vehicles are at the scene, he confirmed, adding that flames continue to burn in the rear section of the building.
There is a rush of shopkeepers and bystanders creating difficulties for rescue teams, he noted, stressing that rescue personnel are facing challenges entering the building.
Water Corporation’s response
Talking to Brackly News, Karachi Water & Sewerage Corporation Chief Operating Officer Asadullah Khan said that water tankers deployed to support firefighting operations took time in reaching the fire owing to heavy traffic and the ongoing construction work on the MA Jinnah Road.
Several tankers remained stuck in traffic congestion at the Guru Mandir area, he said, adding that water supply has been made possible through three water hydrants.
He said efforts were made to ensure a steady supply of water to emergency crews despite the difficult road conditions.
Official response
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has expressed sorrow over the loss of life in the tragic incident.
The minister has called for immediate and quality medical care to be provided to those injured in the blaze.
Kamal said the federal government is prepared to provide assistance to the provincial government in dealing with the incident.
Rescue teams are working to bring the fire under control, according to a Sindh government spokesperson, Sadia Javed.
All available resources are being provided for the rescue operation, said the spokesperson. The government is making every effort to extinguish the blaze as quickly as possible, she added.
Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori, who later arrived on the spot to inspect the relief and rescue operation, has directed a report on the incident and expressed concern over the fire.
He has directed relevant authorities to ramp up rescue and relief operations.
Talking to Brackly News, Governor Tessori said that more than 100 people are reported to be trapped inside the burning building that houses around 1,200 shops.
“Our priority is to save the lives of those trapped in the building,” he said.
He described the fire as “not ordinary”, saying it had engulfed the building from all four sides.
The Pakistan Navy, Rangers, and other rescue agencies are engaged in relief operations, the governor noted, adding that more than 12 people have been evacuated from the building so far.
The fire in the front section of the building has been brought under control, but flames continue to burn in the rear section, he added.
Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also expressed grief over the loss of life and property damage in the conflagration.
The PPP chief offered his condolences to the families of those who died in the blaze.
Sindh Interior Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar has called for alternative traffic routes to be established to ensure safe passage for residents.
He has also directed the SSP City to investigate the cause of the fire and instructed officials to prevent the flames from spreading further.
The minister underscored the need to keep access routes clear for fire brigade vehicles and emergency personnel.
Hours after the fire broke out, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab expressed his sorrow over the loss of life in the tragedy.
“We stand with the families of those who died during this difficult time,” Wahab said.
The mayor confirmed that rescue operations to extinguish the fire is underway and called for immediate assistance to be provided to those affected to prevent further loss of life.
Karachi Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad said rescue teams were on the scene following the fire.
Traders’ concerns over rescue operation
Tanveer Pasta, the president of the Gul Plaza’s traders association, told Brackly News that nearly 80 to 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.
He 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 the fire continues to burn on three sides of the structure.
The fire reportedly started in a shop selling artificial flowers located on the ground floor, he added.
Traffic diversion
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.
This is a developing story and is being updated with further details.
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