In the ongoing investigation into the devastating fire at Gul Plaza, a senior rescue official has identified the decision to cut off electricity to the shopping complex as a critical misstep that significantly worsened the situation. On Tuesday, Director General of Rescue 1122, Wajid Sibghatullah, addressed the judicial commission probing the incident and spoke candidly to the media in Karachi about the challenges faced during the emergency response.
Sibghatullah emphasized that the power shutdown was responsible for causing the greatest damage during the fire, which erupted late on the night of January 17. He explained that had the rescue teams been alerted promptly when the fire broke out at 10:10 PM, many lives could have been saved. Unfortunately, Rescue 1122 received the notification late, which delayed their arrival and hampered their ability to control the blaze in its early stages.
Adding to the difficulties, the DG highlighted the limited resources available to Rescue 1122 in Karachi, pointing out the absence of heavy machinery essential for complex rescue operations in high-rise commercial buildings like Gul Plaza. This shortage of equipment, combined with the late notification, exposed significant vulnerabilities in the city’s emergency preparedness and response infrastructure.
The fire at Gul Plaza, located on the busy M.A. Jinnah Road, engulfed the multi-story commercial building and trapped numerous people inside. The inferno raged uncontrollably for more than 32 hours before firefighters could finally bring it under control. The prolonged duration of the blaze and the tragic loss of life have raised serious questions about the adequacy of Karachi’s firefighting capabilities and the effectiveness of its disaster management protocols.
Meanwhile, during the initial hearing of the judicial inquiry commission, Tanveer Pasta, president of the Gul Plaza Association, appeared for questioning regarding the operational aspects of the plaza. When asked about the official closing hours, Pasta stated that on regular weekdays, the plaza typically closes between 10:30 PM and 10:45 PM, while on Saturdays, closing times extend slightly later, ranging from 10:30 PM to 11:00 PM. He clarified that there has never been a formal mandate from any authority enforcing strict closing times for the plaza.
Regarding the closure of gates, Pasta explained that the process begins at Gate No. 1 around 10:30 PM and takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. On Saturdays, the gates start closing at 10:45 PM, with the ramp being shut around 11:30 PM. This staggered closing schedule indicates that some parts of the building remain accessible well past the official closing time, which could have implications for emergency evacuation procedures.
On the subject of surveillance, Pasta revealed that some digital video recorders (DVRs) were salvaged from the rubble after the building partially collapsed. These DVRs were installed in two key locations, including a security room in the basement. He further noted that the CCTV system had been recently upgraded, with approximately 280 cameras installed throughout the building to monitor various areas.
When questioned about the physical layout of the plaza, Pasta described the main corridors as being between six and eight feet wide, while the mezzanine corridors measured around ten feet in width. These dimensions are crucial for understanding the movement of people during emergencies and the accessibility for rescue teams.
Finally, Pasta addressed the number of shops within the plaza, confirming that although he was not involved in the original construction, the building housed a total of 1,153 leased shops the approved plan. This high density of commercial units underscores the complexity of managing safety and evacuation in such a large and crowded structure.
The inquiry into the Gul Plaza fire continues to uncover critical insights into the factors that contributed to the tragedy. The testimonies and findings so far highlight the urgent need for improved emergency response systems, better resource allocation for rescue services, and stricter enforcement of safety regulations in commercial buildings across Karachi.
