KARACHI, Pakistan – A massive fire tore through Gul Plaza, a densely packed commercial complex on Karachi’s MA Jinnah Road, late Saturday night, killing dozens of people, leaving more than 60 missing, and causing parts of the multi-storey building to collapse after the blaze burned for more than a day.
The fire broke out around 10:30 pm local time and quickly spread across several floors, trapping shop workers and visitors inside as thick smoke engulfed stairwells and corridors. According to Reuters, rescue teams continued search operations on Monday amid fears that more bodies could be buried under the debris.
Why the Fire Accelerated So Fast
Officials say the blaze was likely triggered by an electrical short circuit, but experts argue that the building’s internal conditions turned a small fire into a large-scale inferno within minutes. Gul Plaza housed hundreds of shops storing garments, plastics, carpets and other flammable materials, allowing the flames to spread rapidly from one unit to another.
Reuters reported that safety measures inside the building were inadequate, including outdated wiring and poor ventilation, which allowed smoke and heat to build up quickly. Fire safety specialists cited by local media said narrow internal passages and blocked escape routes further trapped heat and people inside, making evacuation extremely difficult.
Pakistan Today reported that it is unclear whether the building had undergone any formal fire safety audit in recent years, despite repeated warnings following previous market fires in Karachi.
Why Firefighting Took So Long
The fire continued to burn for more than 35 hours, one of the longest commercial fires in the city’s recent history. According to Aaj News, firefighters struggled to contain the blaze due to extreme heat, dense smoke and the sheer volume of combustible material inside the building.
Officials said they were forced to delay internal firefighting operations because of the risk of structural collapse. As the fire weakened support columns, parts of the building eventually gave way, repeatedly halting rescue efforts.
One firefighter was killed during the operation, authorities confirmed.
Why the Fire Brigade Response Is Under Scrutiny
Residents and traders questioned why fire brigade vehicles arrived after the fire had already intensified. Witnesses told local media that congestion on MA Jinnah Road slowed access, while the absence of an emergency traffic clearance system delayed the movement of fire tenders.
While officials maintain that units were dispatched promptly, they acknowledged that the first responders were unable to enter the building immediately due to unsafe conditions. Pakistan Today reported that by the time additional fire engines and water tankers were deployed, the blaze had already spread across multiple floors.
Casualties, Missing Persons and Collapse
By Monday, officials confirmed that the death toll had risen into the twenties, with more than 60 people still unaccounted for. According to AP News, rescue teams continued to sift through debris but warned that unstable remains of the building posed a serious threat to search crews.
Authorities said many victims are believed to have suffocated due to smoke inhalation before the fire reached them.
Government Response and Official Statements
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah announced compensation of 10 million Pakistani rupees for each victim’s family and ordered a forensic investigation to determine the cause of the fire and assess whether safety regulations were violated. He also said the government would reconstruct Gul Plaza and carry out inspections of commercial buildings across Karachi.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed condolences and pledged federal support for rescue and rehabilitation efforts, according to AP News.
Legal Action and Accountability Questions
Reports of a petition filed in the Sindh High Court seeking action against officials have not been independently confirmed, but local media suggest petitioners argue the disaster was preventable and reflects systemic regulatory failure rather than an isolated incident.
Economic Impact and Public Anger
Beyond the loss of life, the fire destroyed hundreds of shops, wiping out livelihoods and causing financial losses estimated in billions of rupees. Families of missing persons and affected traders gathered outside the site, demanding faster rescue operations and accountability from authorities.
As search efforts continue, the Gul Plaza fire has intensified scrutiny of Karachi’s fire safety standards, emergency preparedness, and enforcement of building regulations, raising fears that without urgent reforms, similar disasters could strike again.
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