- Ffinal report to be presented to Sindh CM.
- The fire broke out around 10:15 p.m. on January 17.
- Rescue teams and firefighters intervened โquicklyโ.
KARACHI: Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi has finalized the probe report into the devastating Gul Plaza fire, which will be submitted to Sindh Chief Minister Muard Ali Shah, which revealed that 79 lives were lost in the tragedy, sources said. PK Press Club News.
The committee, comprising the commissioner and additional IG, drafted the report, the sources said on Wednesday.
Karachi’s biggest fire in more than a decade broke out on January 17 and quickly spread to the massive shopping complex, famous for its 1,200 mom-and-pop stores selling wedding wear, toys, tableware and other items.
According to sources, the report details the causes of the fire, measures taken by the fire brigade, rescue operations and relief efforts. It also incorporates information from victims, eyewitnesses and rescue officials.
The fire broke out on January 17 at 10:15 p.m., firefighters were alerted at 10:26 p.m. The first firefighter arrived at the scene within 11 minutes, at 10:37 p.m., while the Deputy Commissioner South arrived at 10:30 p.m. and Rescue 1122 personnel arrived at 10:53 p.m.
Investigators discovered the fire started in a flower shop on the ground floor and was started by a child, and quickly spread through air conditioning ducts to other parts of the building. The tragic incident claimed the lives of 79 people, with the majority of deaths occurring on the mezzanine.
Meanwhile, the search operation following the deadly mall fire culminated after 10 days of strenuous rescue and relief efforts, and the burned mall was cordoned off on Tuesday.
A first information report (FIR) was then registered at the Nabi Bux Police Station with provisions relating to negligence and recklessness.
Sindh Interior Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar said there were fears of sabotage or terrorism, but the issue was unclear and anti-terrorism provisions would be added to the FIR if there was enough evidence.
Sindh CM Shah also announced plans to rebuild the shops at the site within two years, saying the remaining part of Gul Plaza would be demolished.
