Six firefighters were killed in the Karachi Plaza fire, while over thirty people were burned.

When a plaza caught fire on MA Jinnah Road here on Sunday, six people—including a firefighter—died and over thirty were injured, eleven of them seriously. Traders expressed alarm about the inadequate firefighting efforts,

Numerous people are stuck in the square, raising the possibility of more fatalities. The government was accused by traders for its passivity, which resulted in billions of rupees in damages and casualties. They called for reparations and practical steps to stop similar occurrences in the future.

The bottom and first floors of Gul Plaza on Jinnah Road caught fire. According to the first account, a stampede and asphyxia claimed the lives of five persons. Due to the basic structure being destroyed by a faging fire, there is also concern that the building may collapse.

After noticing the plaza fire, Sindh Interior Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar ordered firefighters and Rescue 1122 to clear a way so they could go to the scene and put out the fire as quickly as possible.

The effort to contain the fire involves more than 12 fire trucks. Rescue personnel have identified Aamir, Asif, and Faraz as three of the deceased.

Many of the injured have reportedly been transferred to hospitals in critical condition.

Officials from the fire department said that the fire’s intensity was steadily rising and that it had spread to many additional stores. They added that 14 trucks were being used to help contain the fire, and that residents were being evacuated from the plaza.

Numerous people were reported to be trapped in the shopping plaza, according to rescue personnel.

Additionally, the ground and first level stores were consumed by the fire. In the square, a large number of people sought refuge on the roof. There are around 1,000 stores in the shopping complex.

RILE TRADERS WITH INEFECTIVE OPERATION

Tanvir Pasta, the president of the traders organisation, told the media that between 80 and 100 individuals are thought to be trapped inside the building following the fatal fire.

Pasta stated that although all patrons had left the building, employees and store owners were believed to still be inside. The building comprises 1,200 stores, and the fire has resulted in losses totalling billions of rupees.

Senior government officials’ response was slammed by the traders’ leader, who said that neither the chief minister nor the Karachi mayor had gotten in touch with the traders. “Only Governor Sindh has come so far, no one else,” he stated.

According to him, there is still fire burning on three sides of the building, and no rescuers have yet to enter.

He stated that the ground floor store selling artificial flowers is where the fire is said to have begun.

ZIAUL HASSAN LANJAR MINISTER

The Sindh Home Minister took notice of the incident in Gul Plaza and instructed the appropriate authorities to stop the building’s fire from spreading and investigate its origins.

Additionally, he gave the order to establish alternate routes for the population’ rapid evacuation.

LAMENTING THE LOSS OF LIFE

Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab said he stands with the bereaved families during this trying time and expressed his profound sadness and grief over the deaths caused by the fire in Gul Plaza.

Relief efforts are in progress, he said, and the fire department and rescue teams are on the scene. He gave the Greater Municipality’s departments instructions to stay vigilant and help the victims in every way they could.

RISKY CRACKS IN THE BUILDING

Twenty fire tenders and four snorkel vehicles are currently involved in the effort, according to COO Sindh Emergency Service Rescue 1122 Dr. Abid Jalaluddin Shaikh. He further mentioned that firefighting foam is being utilised to suppress the flames.

He went on to say that part of the building’s back side has collapsed, making it more dangerous for both rescue personnel and those who are trapped.

According to him, firemen are facing more difficulties because of the building’s air conditioning stores.

The chief fire officer stated that the incident began at approximately 10:15 p.m.

Rescue 1122 received the emergency call at 10:38 p.m., and rescue and fire personnel hurried to the area, the spokesman said.

He confirmed that the extreme heat caused one of the building’s pillars to fall, increasing concerns that further elements of the structure would collapse. The fire swiftly spread inside the old building due to particular flammable substances housed there.

According to rescue officials, the fire was categorised as a third-degree blaze, which indicates that it was extremely challenging to contain.

TRAFFIC CHAOS

While emergency activities are ongoing, authorities have blocked ordinary traffic on the MA Jinnah Road between Anklesaria Chowk and Central Plaza.

According to Karachi Traffic Police, traffic is being rerouted from Tibet Chowk in the direction of Jubilee.