In a concerning development, a significant fire reignited in the basement of Gul Plaza, a building in Karachi that had already suffered extensive damage from a previous blaze. The incident occurred on Monday evening, prompting a rapid response from the city’s fire brigade to prevent further destruction. Flames were seen billowing from the debris-strewn basement, drawing the attention of nearby residents and passersby.
Those present at the scene played a crucial role in maintaining order when they apprehended a man suspected of drug addiction who was allegedly attempting to commit theft inside the sealed premises. The individual was promptly handed over to law enforcement authorities for further investigation. This arrest has raised questions about the possible cause of the fire, with officials suspecting that the fire may have been deliberately or accidentally ignited by this person.
Chief Fire Officer Humayun Khan shared that the emergency call regarding smoke emanating from the building was received around 5:45 pm. Firefighters were dispatched immediately and arrived swiftly to initiate firefighting efforts. It is important to note that during the initial fire that devastated Gul Plaza, a large section of the basement and several shops had remained untouched. Authorities now believe the new fire originated in these relatively unscathed areas, possibly fueled by accumulated scrap and waste materials stored inside.
Additional Deputy Commissioner South, Amir Fazal, confirmed that six fire tenders from the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) along with a snorkel vehicle were deployed to tackle the blaze. The thick smoke inside the basement posed significant challenges for the firefighting teams, making it difficult for them to enter the premises safely. To combat this, specialized machinery was employed to expel the dense smoke and improve visibility for the responders. Initially, three fire tenders were sent to the scene, but as the situation escalated, the number was increased to twelve to ensure the fire was fully contained.
Meanwhile, Additional Deputy Commissioner South Asma Batool noted that the building had been officially sealed following the previous fire incident. The renewed fire in the basement complicated efforts to assess the overall damage, as teams struggled to gain full access to the interior. The exact extent of destruction to the remaining shops and property inside the complex remains unclear at this stage.
Police officials later revealed that the detained suspect, believed to be a drug addict, might have inadvertently started the fire while attempting to break into the sealed building. The man is currently in custody and undergoing questioning to determine his role in the incident. This development has highlighted concerns about security and unauthorized access to vulnerable, damaged structures in the city.
In support of the firefighting operation, the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) promptly activated emergency protocols at key hydrants located at Nipa Chowrangi and Safoora. Water tankers were dispatched to the site to supplement the water supply, and the hydrants’ cell head maintained close coordination with fire brigade and rescue teams to ensure uninterrupted water flow. Firefighters also utilized specialized smoke injectors to clear the thick smoke inside the gutted building, facilitating safer and more effective firefighting efforts.
As a precautionary measure, authorities closed one lane of the busy MA Jinnah Road adjacent to Gul Plaza to protect commuters and allow emergency vehicles unimpeded access. The incident has once again brought attention to the challenges faced by Karachi’s emergency services in managing fires in densely populated urban areas, especially in structures already weakened by previous disasters.
