Secure university departments; makeshift shelters near fire site evacuated as precaution, officials say
University of Karachi. Photo: File
A fire that broke out in the bushes behind Karachi University on Tuesday evening quickly intensified before being brought under control after several hours of fighting the fire. One person died of suffocation during the incident, emergency services said.
According to Rescue 1122, the fire broke out near Gulshan Noor Apartments, behind the university. Fire and rescue teams, as well as ambulances and firefighters, arrived at the scene and began to extinguish the fire. Dry weather and strong winds caused the flames to spread rapidly in the open area, while smoke entered neighboring residential buildings, creating difficulties for residents.
Some staff accommodation was partially damaged and the fire also affected areas near a nearby cemetery. The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) fire brigade dispatched additional vehicles, including nine fire tenders and three water tankers, to control the fire from several directions. Cooling operations continued until late at night to avoid a restart due to winds.
During a search operation after the fire was brought under control, emergency services found the body of a 51-year-old man, identified as Muhammad Rafiq, who died of suffocation. His body was shifted to the hospital with the help of Chhipa volunteers for necessary legal procedures.
A security advisor at the University of Karachi said all departments remained safe. Firefighters confirmed that several makeshift shelters located near the affected bushes had been evacuated as a precaution.
In another incident, a fire broke out at a scrap yard near Bhai Jan Chowk in Korangi Sector 33-C. The 1122 rescue teams arrived on site and managed to bring the fire under control after a sustained effort. Different types of stored materials were destroyed, while the cause of the fire and estimated losses remain to be determined.
