A massive fire that broke out late Saturday night at Gul Plaza, a busy multi-storey shopping complex on M.A. Jinnah Road, has claimed at least six lives, injured more than 20 people, and triggered a partial collapse of the building, severely complicating rescue operations.
The blaze erupted around 10:38pm on January 17 and quickly spread from the ground floor to upper levels of the commercial plaza, which houses more than 1,200 shops dealing in clothing, home goods and other highly flammable materials. Thick smoke and intense heat engulfed the structure, trapping occupants inside.
Fire Brigade units, Rescue 1122, Pakistan Navy teams and volunteers from the Edhi Foundation battled the third-degree fire for over 18 hours. Despite sustained efforts, flames continued to flare up due to combustible stock and limited access points.
Officials confirmed that the death toll rose to six by Sunday afternoon, including a firefighter identified as Farqan. Most fatalities were caused by suffocation from dense smoke. Between 20 and 30 people sustained injuries and were shifted to Civil Hospital Karachi, where a mass casualty protocol was activated.
Rescue authorities expressed concern that additional individuals may still be trapped inside. Earlier estimates suggested that dozens of people could have been present in the building when the fire broke out.
Rescue efforts were further hindered when parts of the structure collapsed, scattering debris onto surrounding streets and restricting movement of fire tenders. Officials said only two of the building’s seven exits were accessible, significantly slowing evacuation and firefighting operations.
Authorities reported that approximately 60 to 70 per cent of the fire had been brought under control, though complete extinguishment remained challenging due to persistent hotspots and structural instability.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah ordered an immediate investigation into the incident and directed a comprehensive fire safety audit of commercial buildings across the province. President Asif Ali Zardari also expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives.
The fire has caused massive financial losses, with hundreds of shops destroyed and traders estimating damages worth billions of rupees. Families and shop owners were seen anxiously searching for loved ones and salvaging belongings near the site.
The exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined. However, officials said the rapid spread points to poor fire safety compliance and the presence of highly combustible materials, once again raising serious concerns over safety standards in Karachi’s crowded commercial zones.
Rescue and cooling operations remain underway, with authorities expected to release further updates as the situation develops.