- The fire will go out in a few days if the gas reserves are small.
- If otherwise, measures to be taken to secure the site and the fire.
- Nature, volume of gas to be determined after analysis.
Karachi: The district administration has closed the plot in the city of Korangi Creek in the city where a mysterious fire continues to burn for the sixth consecutive day.
In a statement, the district administration said that KMC and cantonment board fire offers were on standby on the site despite fire -fighting operations on Saturday due to heat intensity.
Meanwhile, sand and water samples have been obtained from the site and the nature and volume of gas – which feed the fire – will only be determined after a chemical analysis.
If the gas reserves are small, the fire will be extinguished automatically in a few days. However, if the reserves are important, measures will be taken to secure the area and the fire, added the administration.
The fire broke out on Saturday after a local construction company pierced 1,200 feet for a tube well, releasing methane gas under high pressure. Despite the presence of firefighters and police staff on the scene, the flames continue to burn and the efforts to put out them proved to be ineffective.
Experts, including the former firefighters, Kazim Ali, warned against attempts to reach the fire, suggesting that the fire could burn in a few days if it was left alone.
However, they warn that attempts to fight continuous fires could degenerate the situation, distribute the gas and increase the risk for neighboring residents. One of the experts suggested marking a restricted area of 90 meters and building a ground mound to block the flames as a measure to contain the fire.
The fire has become a focal point for public attention, while experts closely monitor the situation. Officials also take water and gas samples to assess the scale of underground deposits and potential risks.
The SUTH Southern Gas Company (SSGC) has confirmed that its installations are not close to the affected area, while Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) continues to monitor the impact of the fire on the gas supply.
