In the wake of a tragic blaze on Rashid Minhas Road that resulted in 11 fatalities, a recent fire safety audit has identified alarming deficiencies in Karachi’s business hub, I.I. Chundrigar Road. According to officials from the Fire Department, a staggering 29 buildings in the area have been declared ‘unsafe’ following an inspection initiated by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC).
Mayor Karachi, Murtaza Wahab, responding to the growing concerns over fire incidents, ordered a comprehensive fire safety audit for major buildings citywide. A three-member committee was formed to oversee the inspection process.
The audit focused on 45 buildings along I.I. Chundrigar Road, a bustling artery of Karachi, where over 34,000 citizens work. Shockingly, the report revealed that 77% of these structures lack firefighting equipment and trained staff. The findings underscore a critical gap in safety measures, as none of the inspected buildings were reported to have expert firefighters.
The report highlighted the absence of fire safety certification for any of the buildings, raising questions about compliance with safety standards. Only 16 out of the 45 buildings were found to have a water connection for fire extinguishing purposes.
This revelation comes in the aftermath of another fire incident in a six-story building near Ayesha Manzil, where three lives were tragically lost. The frequency of such incidents has heightened concerns about the overall fire safety infrastructure in Karachi.