KARACHI: A massive third-degree fire broke out at Gul Plaza, a multi-story shopping complex located on M.A. Jinnah Road in Karachi, resulting in the tragic loss of 6 lives and injuries to around 20 people.
The blaze started around 10:30 PM on Saturday night on the ground floor, reportedly beginning at a shop selling artificial flowers and rapidly spread to the upper floors within minutes.
Despite hours of efforts, firefighters struggled to bring the fire under full control, even as parts of the building collapsed due to the intense heat weakening the structure. Rescue sources report that the old building’s pillars have developed cracks, raising serious fears of further collapse.
Among the deceased is a brave firefighter named Furqan, along with four others identified as Faraz, Kashif, Aamer, and Shahroz. The bodies were shifted to the trauma center.
Over 20 individuals were injured (some in critical condition) and rushed to hospitals.
During rescue operations, two more people were hurt when a fire brigade ladder broke.
More than 20 fire tenders and 4 snorkels are deployed, with water and foam being used to fight the flames. Firefighting units from the Pakistan Navy are also assisting.
The intense heat and thick smoke made it extremely difficult for rescuers to enter the building. The ground floor shops were completely gutted.
The plaza houses over 1,200 shops, leading to massive financial losses estimated in billions of rupees, as each shop contained goods worth crores.
Eyewitness accounts describe chaotic scenes: people escaped by breaking through a mosque door on the ground floor, others jumped to adjacent buildings, and many suffered from oxygen deprivation, fainting amid the smoke.
The exact number of people still inside or trapped remains uncertain and difficult to determine.
A powerful explosion likely caused by a gas leak—further intensified the blaze and accelerated its spread.
