SBCA closes Rimpa Plaza following tragic Gul Plaza fire.

Following a fatal fire at Gul Plaza in Karachi, the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) locked up Rimpa Plaza, which is adjacent to the shopping mall.

The terrible fire at Gul Plaza on M.A. Jinnah Road has killed at least 28 people, with scores more missing. Search and rescue operations are ongoing.

According to accounts, the severe fire has weakened the decades-old Rimpa Plaza, making it potentially hazardous.

SBCA stated that the building was sealed as a precautionary measure after a joint examination by an SBCA team and senior Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) engineer Arif Qasim to protect public safety.

SBCA declared the building’s structure defective, hazardous, and dangerous in a notification given to the owners and inhabitants of Rimpa Plaza. According to the authorities, numerous pieces of Gul Plaza fell during the fire, with some of the rubble falling onto Rimpa Plaza’s ramp area, causing structural columns to be damaged.

Following an inspection, the SBCA determined that the damaged area of Rimpa Plaza was hazardous and posed a major threat to human life and property.

The authorities ordered the owners to immediately stop utilizing the damaged area of the structure and remove any risky structural elements.

SBCA further ordered that all repair and strengthening work be performed strictly under the supervision of a qualified structural engineer and in line with existing building laws and regulations.

The SBCA further said that no use or occupation of the affected area will be permitted under any circumstances until the structure is pronounced safe by a competent authority.

It cautioned that failing to follow these instructions would result in legal action under relevant parts of the Sindh Building Control regulations.

Meanwhile, Rimpa Plaza management has denied concerns that the building is hazardous. Naeem Ahmed, a management spokesperson, told that the construction is safe and poses no threat.

Ahmed noted that while a parking ramp wall was damaged as a result of the fire in the neighboring building, it had no effect on Rimpa Plaza’s overall structural stability. He dismissed claims implying otherwise as unfounded and deceptive.