Overnight Blaze Contained at Karachi’s Landhi EPZ
News Desk
Islamabad: A major fire that erupted late Friday night at a plastic factory in Karachi’s Landhi Export Processing Zone (EPZ) was brought under control after nearly 11 hours of intensive firefighting, officials said on Saturday.
The blaze, which broke out at around 8:40pm, quickly spread from the plastic factory to a nearby warehouse storing old clothes and shoes, and later affected a second factory. A third facility in the vicinity remained safe and unaffected.
Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) Chief Fire Officer Humayun Khan said the fire had been contained but warned that cooling operations could take another three to four days. “The fire at the plastic factory and the warehouse is under control,” he told Geo News.
More than 20 fire tenders from KMC, the Pakistan Navy, and Rescue 1122 were deployed to the site, along with three KMC snorkels. Officials said approximately 165,000 gallons of water were supplied through local hydrants, while additional water tankers were dispatched to support the operation.
Rescue 1122 confirmed that the fire originated on the ground floor of the factory before spreading to the first floor. Authorities said no workers were present at the time of the incident, and no casualties or injuries have been reported.
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Karachi Commissioner said all relevant agencies were placed on high alert, adding that sufficient water supplies were ensured throughout the operation. Sindh Inspector General of Police Javed Alam Odho directed police to clear traffic from surrounding roads to allow unhindered access for firefighting and rescue teams.
In a late-night statement, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori expressed concern over the incident, noting that the fire had spread to multiple factories.
He said safety measures and firefighting arrangements should have been improved following the recent Gul Plaza tragedy, and instructed authorities to take all necessary steps to fully extinguish the blaze and ensure proper safety arrangements in factories and buildings across the city.
The incident follows a series of recent fires in Karachi. Earlier this week, a fire at Saddar’s mobile market was quickly contained, while last month a devastating blaze at Gul Plaza shopping mall claimed at least 80 lives and destroyed more than 1,200 family-owned shops. Authorities have repeatedly stressed that the recent incidents highlight the urgent need for improved preparedness, strict safety compliance, and rapid emergency response to prevent similar disasters.
