In a significant development regarding the investigation into the devastating fire at Gul Plaza shopping mall, the Director General of Rescue-1122 formally submitted a detailed response to the judicial commission tasked with probing the incident. This submission included a preliminary report outlining the sequence of events and challenges faced during the rescue operation. The fire, which broke out on the night of January 17, had tragically claimed numerous lives and exposed critical shortcomings in fire safety protocols within the commercial complex.
The DG of Rescue-1122 identified the absence of an adequate fire safety system and the delayed reporting of the fire as primary factors that contributed to the high casualty rate. the report, by the time rescue teams arrived, the fire had escalated to a severe third-degree level, engulfing the entire premises. This rapid intensification severely complicated the efforts to control the blaze and evacuate those trapped inside.
Upon their initial assessment, the rescue personnel described the situation as extremely hazardous. Due to the precarious structural conditions and the intensity of the fire, firefighters were compelled to adopt a defensive strategy rather than an aggressive interior attack. Operations were conducted primarily from the adjacent Rimpa Plaza, as the Gul Plaza itself lacked proper fire exits, and many windows were sealed shut with steel and concrete, further obstructing access and rescue efforts.
The report further detailed how thick smoke drastically reduced visibility both inside and outside the building, forcing rescue teams to rely on ladders and alternative methods to reach survivors. Breathing apparatuses were employed to protect the firefighters during these perilous operations. Despite these efforts, the internal rescue attempts remained extremely dangerous due to the intense heat and smoke, making entry into the building nearly impossible without risking the lives of the rescuers themselves.
Statistical data included in the report revealed that in 2025, a total of 1,094 fire incidents were recorded citywide, with 84 incidents reported so far in the current year. This highlights the ongoing challenges faced by emergency services in managing urban fire hazards. The inquiry also exposed glaring deficiencies in Gul Plaza’s fire safety infrastructure, noting the absence of essential systems such as sprinklers, hydrants, and even basic fire alarms. Furthermore, the emergency exit routes were either unclear or obstructed, with several fire exits blocked due to encroachments, severely hampering evacuation and firefighting efforts.
Compounding these difficulties were external factors such as roadblocks, heavy traffic congestion, and ongoing construction work around the site, all of which delayed the arrival and movement of emergency vehicles. The report strongly recommended the mandatory installation of automatic sprinkler systems, hydrant networks, and dedicated fire water reservoirs in commercial buildings to prevent such tragedies in the future. It also emphasized the need for trained personnel and readily available firefighting equipment on-site, alongside ensuring unobstructed access routes for emergency responders.
The catastrophic fire at Gul Plaza, located on the busy M.A. Jinnah Road, burned relentlessly for over 32 hours before firefighters could finally bring it under control. This prolonged battle against the blaze not only underscored the vulnerabilities in Karachi’s emergency response capabilities but also served as a stark reminder of the urgent need to enforce stringent fire safety regulations across the city’s commercial centers.
