- The fires reveal serious gaps in safety preparedness.
- So far, more than 20 fires have been reported in February.
- The deadliest fire in Gul Plaza occurred on January 17.
The memory of the deadly Gul Plaza fire still haunts Karachi, a stark reminder of how devastating fires can be in the city. But the fires continue unabated, revealing serious gaps in safety and emergency preparedness.
Alarmingly, in January alone, Karachi reported 225 fires, leaving destruction, injuries and deaths in their wake. News reported Saturday.
The trend continued in February, with more than 20 fires reported in the first five days alone, showing the city remains at constant risk.
Authorities warn that unless stricter safety measures are implemented and public awareness is raised, Karachi residents will continue to face threats of major and minor fires on a daily basis – a danger that cannot be ignored.
On Thursday alone, fires were reported in six different locations in various parts of the city. Although no human casualties were reported in these incidents, two animals – a cow and a buffalo – were burnt.
The deadliest incident occurred on January 17, when a fire at Gul Plaza killed 79 people, including women and children, and injured at least 22, according to official figures.
Since then, no major fire of this magnitude has been reported. However, small-scale fires continue to break out daily, with sometimes as many as five to six incidents reported in a single day.
Four other people, including a child and an elderly man, also lost their lives in separate fires last month. Along with the loss of life, countless others are grappling with property damage and financial ruin, painting a grim picture of the continuing danger the fires pose to the residents of Karachi.
People often focus only on the Gul Plaza fire, the lives lost and the devastation it caused. But even though such large-scale tragedies are rare, smaller fires continue to occur daily in the city. It’s not just statistics. People lose their lives and suffer financial losses every day.
Among other notable incidents, a man died in Landhi on January 1 after being burned by a fire set for warmth in cold weather. On January 26, in Khokhrapar area of Malir, a fire broke out in a private school located inside a house, resulting in the death of a minor and injuries. Other students were rescued in time.
Another fatal fire incident occurred in Gulistan-e-Jauhar on January 28. Another fire in Orangi town also claimed a life. Several other people were injured in incidents reported in Hawkesbay and Korangi, as well as near the Met Office area.
Data shows that the Central District reported 30 fires, the highest number of fires, in January. Saddar reported 18 incidents, while another 18 occurred in the jurisdiction of Sohrab Goth Fire Station – Gulistan-e-Mustafa.
Nazimabad reported 13 incidents, SITE zone 11, Lyari and Korangi nine each. Landhi reported three incidents, while Orangi Town and Shah Faisal Colony reported eight each. Manzoor Colony reported 14 incidents and areas covered by New Karachi Fire Station reported 13 incidents.
On Thursday, fires were reported from several places, including at a plastic warehouse near Nauman Kanta on Sher Shah Akbar Road, where the fire reignited several times due to Thermocol. Firefighters used heavy machinery under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner Nida Saman to demolish the walls and complete the cooling operations.
Other incidents included a fire on the roof of a private bank near Sultan Hospital in Korangi No. 4, a fire in drums filled with chemicals at a perfume factory in Mehran town, a fire in a cowshed in Khurramabad area of Malir, a fire in a gym in Federal Zone B and a fire at a K-Electric intersection near Fatima Tower in Karachi’s New Industrial Area. All the fires were brought under control without causing human casualties.
Authorities have expressed concern over the increasing frequency of fires and stressed the urgent need for stricter safety measures, regular inspections and greater public awareness to prevent further tragedies.
