Six Killed as Gul Plaza Fire Rages for Over 13 Hours in Karachi

News Desk 

Karachi: At least six people, including a firefighter, were killed after a massive fire broke out at the Gul Plaza shopping mall on M.A. Jinnah Road late Saturday night, officials said on Sunday, as the blaze continued to rage for more than 13 hours.

The death toll rose after the body of firefighter Furqan, attached to the Nazimabad Fire Office, was recovered from the rubble and shifted to the Civil Hospital Trauma Centre.

Casualties and Injuries

Hospital officials confirmed that four bodies were brought to the Civil Hospital Trauma Centre, while two others were shifted to the Burns Ward. At least 15 injured persons were also taken to Civil Hospital, of whom 14 were discharged after treatment. Two injured were brought to Jinnah Hospital and later discharged.

Fire Still Active, Building Partially Collapsed

According to rescue officials, the blaze spread rapidly inside the shopping mall and caused multiple portions of the building to collapse on Sunday morning due to intense heat.

Chief Fire Officer Humayun Khan said the fire was still active along the edges of the plaza, adding that the building, spread over two acres, had been declared completely dilapidated.

He said officials of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) would assess the structure and announce a final decision regarding its safety.

Lack of Ventilation

The chief fire officer said extreme internal temperatures were preventing firefighters from entering the building, severely hampering rescue and search operations.

“The plaza is sealed from all sides and has no proper ventilation system, which is complicating firefighting efforts,” he said.

The ground and mezzanine floors have been completely gutted, while the upper two floors are still burning. The complex houses shops selling clothes, crockery, perfumes, cosmetics, electronics and toys.

Fears of People Trapped Inside

District South Deputy Commissioner Javed Nabi Khoso told Geo News that the fire had reignited at the back of the first floor.

“There are fears that people are present on the first and mezzanine floors, but rescue teams have not been able to reach those areas,” he said.

He added that there was no emergency exit in the building, and an investigation was underway to determine why mandatory safety provisions were not in place.

“We will check the approved map and compliance with safety requirements,” he said, adding that fire extinguishers were also not present in the building.

Firefighting Efforts Underway

Sindh Emergency Service Rescue 1122 Chief Operating Officer Dr Abid Jalaluddin Shaikh said that 20 fire tenders and four snorkels were taking part in firefighting operations from three sides of the building.

He said materials stored inside the mall and the presence of air-conditioning shops were making it difficult to control the blaze.

Shaikh confirmed that a portion of the building’s rear side had collapsed, increasing the risk for trapped individuals as well as rescue workers.

Fire brigade officials feared that several people might still be trapped inside the mall, though the exact number could not be confirmed.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) South Asad Raza said that 25 people had been evacuated from the building so far.

Recurring Blaze and Explosion

Authorities earlier said the fire had been prevented from spreading further, but it later reached the third floor before being contained.

Soon after firefighters declared the blaze contained, flames erupted again from the first floor, with video footage showing fire engulfing several shops.

Firefighting operations were temporarily suspended in the early hours of Sunday due to safety concerns and resumed after 15 minutes.

Chief Fire Officer said a powerful explosion occurred inside the building due to a gas leakage, intensifying the blaze and raising fears of further structural collapse.

Sindh Rangers personnel are also assisting in rescue and firefighting efforts.

The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.

Probe Ordered

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep grief over the incident and directed authorities to take all possible measures to protect lives and property.

He instructed that all assistance be provided to affected traders and ordered relevant departments to work together in rescue operations.

President Asif Ali Zardari also expressed sorrow over the loss of precious lives and directed that the best medical facilities be provided to the injured.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took notice of the incident and directed Karachi Commissioner Hassan Naqvi to conduct an immediate inquiry, determine the causes of the fire and submit a report.

The chief minister also ordered strict implementation of fire safety laws and directed that fire safety audits be conducted in commercial buildings across Karachi.

Sindh government spokesperson Sadia Javed said that extinguishing the blaze was the top priority, adding that around 40 percent of the fire had been brought under control.

She said firefighters were facing difficulty entering the building due to extreme heat and noted the absence of emergency exits in older structures.

Political Leaders, Mayor React

Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed grief over the loss of lives and property and offered condolences to the bereaved families.

Sindh Interior Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar directed authorities to establish alternative traffic routes, keep access roads clear for emergency vehicles and investigate the cause of the fire.

Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab also expressed sorrow, saying the city administration stood with the families of the victims.

Traders Voice Concerns

Gul Plaza Traders’ Association President Tanveer Pasta expressed concern over rescue efforts, claiming that 80 to 100 people were believed to be trapped inside the building.

He said customers had exited the mall, but shopkeepers and staff were still inside when the fire broke out. The plaza houses around 1,200 shops, and losses were estimated to be worth billions of rupees.

Pasta criticised the response of senior officials, claiming that only the Sindh governor had visited the site so far.

He added that the fire reportedly started in a shop selling artificial flowers on the ground floor and said flames were still burning on three sides of the building.