After raging for 18 days, the uncontrolled fire in Karachi’s Korangi Creek area was finally extinguished, ending a crisis that began on March 29.
Sparked during a 1,200-foot-deep borehole drilling, the blaze raised alarms about underground gas reserves fueling it. Though the flames are out, gas emissions and toxic chemicals in the area signal ongoing environmental and health risks, prompting urgent investigations.
Despite the fire’s end, the situation remains unstable. Gas leaks from the pit cause water, initially used by firefighters, to erupt violently. Hot water and visible vapours still rise from the ground, and the crater has widened due to shifting sand and overflow. These signs point to a significant underground gas reserve, keeping authorities on high alert.
Preliminary tests of water at the site revealed dangerous chemical levels, including:
- Tetrachloroethylene: 33 µg/L, far above the safe limit of 5 mg/L.
- Benzene: 19 mg/L, nearly four times the permissible amount.
- Toluene: 15 µg/L, another concerning finding.
While hydrocarbons stay within safe limits, experts warn that these substances pose serious risks to health and the environment. Further analysis is underway to assess long-term dangers.
Read: Mysterious Fire in Korangi Creek Burns for Day 6
The Ministry of Petroleum formed a special committee to test for methane gas and enlisted Cudd Well Control, a U.S.-based firm specializing in good emergencies. Teams from Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) and United Energy Pakistan Limited visited the site, noting the fire’s consistent intensity before it was doused. Their findings suggest a complex underground issue, with ongoing efforts to pinpoint the gas leak’s source.
