A major fire has ripped through a shopping centre in Karachi, Pakistan, leaving at least six people dead and more than twenty others injured. The blaze erupted late on Saturday night, engulfing the multi-storey building in the southern port city.
Rapid Spread and Cause of the Blaze
The fire broke out at around 10 pm local time in the Garden subdivision area. Initial findings from Garden subdivision police officer Mohsin Raza suggest the cause was a short circuit in one of the shops, though a full investigation is underway. The flames spread with terrifying speed, aided by the materials stored in the area.
Authorities confirmed the fire originated in a section where shopkeepers had stored large quantities of imported garments, clothing, and plastic household goods. These highly flammable items acted as a potent accelerant, allowing the fire to quickly rage out of control.
Emergency Response and Ongoing Safety Concerns
Television footage from the scene showed firefighters in full protective gear battling the intense flames as plumes of thick, black smoke billowed into the night sky. The incident has once again cast a harsh spotlight on inadequate fire prevention and firefighting systems in many structures across Karachi and wider Pakistan.
In response to the tragedy, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to take "all necessary measures" to protect lives and property. He also called for support to be provided to the affected traders and those injured in the blaze.
A Recurring Tragedy for the City
This is not an isolated incident for Karachi, the capital of Sindh province. The city has a history of similar devastating fires in commercial buildings. In November 2023, a fire at a shopping centre in Karachi killed 10 people and injured 22 others, underscoring a persistent pattern of such dangerous events.
Local media reported that most shop owners had already closed and left for the day when the fire started, which likely prevented an even higher casualty figure. The investigation into the precise cause and any potential safety failures continues.
