How Did a Single Shop Ignite Karachi’s Deadliest Blaze?

News Desk

Karachi: As families mourn the victims of the devastating Gul Plaza fire, and dozens remain missing, a newly revealed investigation report sheds light on how the tragedy unfolded and raises serious questions about building safety and emergency preparedness.

According to sources involved in the probe, the fire originated in an artificial flower shop while children were reportedly playing there. “It is possible that the children were playing with matches or lighters,” the sources said.

The blaze, the largest in the city in over a decade, has claimed at least 60 lives, with over 80 people still unaccounted for. Human remains recovered from the debris have left families of missing individuals in deep anguish, with authorities relying on DNA sampling to identify victims.

Read More: https://thepenpk.com/gul-plaza-fire-kills-60-exposes-deadly-safety-failures/

The report details how the fire spread across the complex, which housed more than 1,200 shops. Flames initially engulfed goods in the flower shop before reaching the electrical wiring, accelerating the spread. A stampede occurred as people rushed for the exits, with closed gates worsening the chaos.

Officials noted multiple safety lapses:

Most shops were open at the time of the incident.

Grills were installed on the roof, potentially impeding rescue efforts.

The CCTV system was destroyed, complicating efforts to piece together the sequence of events.

Read More: https://thepenpk.com/death-toll-rises-to-28-in-karachis-gul-plaza-fire-over-80-missing/

Timeline reconstruction via surviving CCTV footage shows that the fire broke out at 10:07pm on January 17 at the rear of the building. Ambulances arrived within five minutes, at 10:12pm, but flames became visible at the front along MA Jinnah Road by 10:18pm — just 11 minutes after ignition.

Eyewitness accounts and statements from affected individuals have been recorded as part of the investigation, while authorities continue efforts to trace the missing.

The report highlights how a combination of lax safety measures, crowded conditions, and structural issues contributed to the rapid spread and high casualty rate of the fire. Experts warn that the tragedy underscores the urgent need for stricter fire safety regulations and regular inspections of commercial buildings in the city.