A devastating fire broke out in a six-story apartment building in Karachi’s FB Area near Ayesha Manzil, resulting in three fatalities and two injuries.
The incident occurred in a bustling area, with the fire initially starting in a shop due to a short circuit before spreading rapidly to the entire building, which housed both commercial and residential spaces.
Fire Department teams arrived promptly and evacuated the building within two hours. Despite their swift action, the fire had already caused significant damage.
Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab confirmed the injuries and casualties. Director Rescue 1122 noted that the fire was of the third category, posing a severe threat to the structure, consisting of two commercial and four residential floors.
Concerns of Building Collapse and Ongoing Rescue Operations
Rescue 1122 raised concerns about the potential collapse of the building due to the intensity of the fire. Even though the fire was partially controlled, search and rescue operations continued. This incident follows closely on the heels of another major fire on Rashid Minhas Road, underscoring the urgent need for improved fire safety measures in Karachi’s densely populated areas.
Caretaker Sindh Chief Minister Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar ordered an inquiry into the incident, with a committee headed by the Karachi commissioner tasked to report back within three days.
Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori emphasized the need for preventative measures to avoid future incidents and called for stakeholder collaboration to enhance fire safety protocols. Resident Almas Talha, who was in the building with her child at the fire, expressed her hope for the safety of all residents and their properties.
