A large fire broke out on Monday evening at Saddar’s mobile market in Karachi. Deputy Inspector General Syed Asad Raza from South Police announced that the blaze started around 07:45 PM when a short circuit failure ignited an electronic vehicle in the parking area of Al Najeeb mobile market, located on the seventh floor.
The fire engulfed two vehicles and three cars were damaged. It was controlled by four fire tenders and one snorkel while cooling work continued. Rescue 1122 spokesperson Hassaanul Haseeb Khan reported that two individuals had to be rescued due to suffocation; they were provided immediate medical aid on the spot.
Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab declared the situation “under control so far” with Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) fire tenders and snorkels present. He urged the crowd to stay back for rescue operations and shared a video of a large crowd surrounding a fire truck. His office issued a statement where he had taken immediate notice, instructing the fire brigade to reach the site immediately.
The Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah contacted Mayor Wahab, Commissioner, and Inspector General, directing his priority as safely rescuing people from inside the building. He also instructed police to manage the crowd smoothly for rescue operations and assured timely water supply through bowsers to the fire brigade.
This incident occurred nearly two weeks after a huge fire at Karachi’s Gul Plaza that resulted in 73 fatalities on January 17th.