KARACHI:
Numerous fire incidents have been reported in Karachi over the past five days, leaving at least two people dead and six children injured. The most furious fire broke out in a warehouse in the Moach Goth area of Baldia on Thursday evening, and the extinguishing operation continued until Friday.
The flames were extinguished on Friday afternoon in Baldia, leaving the warehouse completely destroyed. The fire was probably caused by human negligence, firefighter Zafar Khan said, adding that fortunately there were no casualties.
It took five fire trucks, two water tankers and a Rescue 1122 fire truck to put out the fire.
Khan said The Express PK Press Club that the warehouse extended over two acres of land and was surrounded by surrounding walls. Firefighters had to break through the front wall to enter the premises and put out the flames, he said.
Firefighters struggled to cope with thick plumes of smoke and a lack of water. “If the water supply resumes quickly, the cooling could be over soon. Otherwise, it could take another 24 to 36 hours,” Khan said.
The children’s van catches fire
A major tragedy was averted on Monday when a children’s school van caught fire in Nazimabad, moments before it was due to leave.
The children in the van were evacuated by the driver and residents present at the scene, but six of them were burned. They were rushed to the hospital and then transferred to the burn ward of the civil hospital.
The fire is believed to have started due to a short circuit or a gasoline leak coming from a can temporarily installed on the front seat.
Read: Six children injured in school van fire in Karachi
Slums, burning factories
Makeshift huts in Shanti Nagar near Gulshan-e-Iqbal caught fire, leading to the death of a 55-year-old disabled man, identified as Ayub.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Rafiq, 50, was engulfed in flames that broke out in bushes near Gulshan-e-Noor. His death was confirmed on Friday.
Other fires broke out at separate factories on Hub Chowki Road and Ahsanabad in the SITE area. They were quickly extinguished by firefighters and emergency services.
A food factory caught fire in the SITE Highway industrial zone. A fire truck overturned during the extinguishing operation, injuring three Rescue 1122 agents, including the driver.
In yet another case, a plastic warehouse on the Northern Bypass caught fire Wednesday evening. The fire was under control Thursday afternoon.
Boats near Keamari Fish Market were also saved from complete incineration, as was Dilpasanad Sweets on MA Jinnah Road, after a fire broke out in the basement of the store, thanks to the quick action of the fire brigade.
