150 rescued after high-rise building fire in Karachi

A devastating fire erupted in a high-rise building near Karachi’s Baloch Colony on Thursday, leaving many trapped and panicking amidst dense smoke. The blaze began inside the Index Palace in Sharifabad, near the Baloch Colony bridge. According to Bahadurabad Station House Officer Mohammed Nawaz, who spoke to Dawn, it was an eight-story residential building with two basement levels housing vehicles.

Hassaanul Haseeb Khan from Rescue 1122 confirmed that no ventilation system existed in the upper floors, leading to a rapid spread of smoke. The fire originated inside a parking space where electrical issues in a parked car sparked the blaze, spreading quickly to other parked cars. By the time firefighters arrived at around 6 am, it had engulfed the first floor.

Khan said two teams were on-site, with one focused on rescue operations. They used ladders to reach residents from three floors—each with four flats—and safely rescued people, including the elderly, women, and children, from upper levels. Two individuals who had climbed to the roof were also rescued using a snorkel system.

Rescue 1122’s command team reported that the blaze started around 5:47 am in the basement area, where power generators are kept as backup. However, it later emerged that the fire began due to short circuiting in a vehicle parked there.

By 8:30 am, firefighters had brought the flames under control; however, cooling work continued until 10 am. The building’s lack of a fire safety system in the basement contributed significantly to the incident’s severity, which mainly affected Bohra residents who lived there.

Electricity distribution company K-Electric (KE) reported that its staff displayed remarkable bravery by assisting in rescuing at least 25 individuals from the fire. In response, KE spokesperson Sadia Dada praised their employees for going “above and beyond” their duties to ensure safety and welfare of Karachi residents. The utility firm emphasized how they follow rigorous safety protocols to prevent electrical hazards that could threaten lives or infrastructure.

K-Electric’s statement read: “In line with our safety protocols, our teams responded promptly after the fire incident was reported. Feeder power supply in the affected area was immediately isolated to eliminate any potential hazard and ensure resident safety.”

Sadia Dada commended her staff, stating they not only adhered to safety guidelines but also actively participated in saving lives. Her remarks highlighted the utility’s commitment to public welfare.