A fire erupted on the fourth floor of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) building in Karachi on Monday, prompting immediate rescue operations to extinguish the flames.
Officials deployed five fire tenders, one snorkel, and a browser to manage the fire, which was identified as being caused by a short circuit. Fire brigade authorities anticipate quick control over the fire, noting its low intensity. Although trading at the PSX was halted, the building has since reopened to the public following an evacuation.
Jawad H Hashmi, PSX’s General Manager and Chief Market Operations Officer, stated, “Trading in all securities was temporarily suspended from 10:25 am to 11:25 am today.” He also noted that several firms are currently unable to access the building.
PSX management reported that the fire started around 8 a.m. and caused some material damage, but thankfully, no casualties were reported.
Deputy Commissioner South assessed the rescue operations on-site, stating the fire was not severe. The recent heatwave has increased the risk of such fires, as electrical systems are more likely to overheat.
