At least five killed and over 20 people were injured due to suffocation and a stampede following a fire at Gul Plaza, located on MA Jinnah Road in Karachi.
Despite hours-long efforts, firefighters struggled to bring the third-degree fire under control amid explosions, toxic smoke, and fears of building collapse.
The fire erupted around 10:15pm on Saturday on the ground floor of Gul Plaza and rapidly spread to the upper floors. Within hours, the flames intensified, reaching a third-degree level, making firefighting operations extremely challenging.
According to the Chief Fire Officer, a powerful explosion caused by gas leakage occurred inside the building, further fueling the fire and accelerating its spread. Parts of the plaza collapsed due to the intense heat.
Casualties and rescue operation
Rescue officials confirmed that five people lost their lives, while more than 20 were injured and shifted to nearby hospitals. Several of the injured are reported to be in critical condition.
Four of the deceased have been identified as Faraz, Kashif, Aamir, and Shahroz, while the identity of the fifth victim is yet to be confirmed.
Rescue teams fear that 30 to 35 people may still be trapped inside the multi-storey shopping plaza. Officials said it remains difficult to determine the exact number of people inside due to the building’s layout and heavy smoke.
Firefighting efforts continue
At least 20 fire brigade vehicles and four snorkels were deployed to control the blaze. Water and foam are being used, while Pakistan Navy fire tenders are also assisting in the operation.
Sindh Rangers and Pakistan Navy teams are present at the site to support rescue and security operations.
Firefighters faced severe difficulties due to extreme heat, dense smoke, and chemicals stored in shops. Entry into the building has remained limited, slowing rescue efforts.
During one rescue attempt, a fire brigade ladder broke, causing two people to fall and sustain injuries.
Structural damage
Rescue officials warned that the pillars of the building have weakened due to prolonged exposure to fire. Gul Plaza is described as a very old structure, and authorities say there is a serious risk of collapse at any time.
The intensity of the flames reportedly shook the building’s foundations, forcing rescue teams to operate with extreme caution.
All shops on the ground floor have been completely gutted. Gul Plaza houses more than 1,200 shops, many of which contained goods worth crores of rupees.
President of the Gul Plaza Traders Association said the fire started in an artificial flower shop and quickly spread across the plaza. He said billions of rupees worth of losses have been incurred.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic, saying it became difficult to breathe due to lack of oxygen. Several people fainted, while some reportedly jumped to a neighboring building to escape.
One person said they managed to get out by breaking the door of the mosque located on the ground floor.
Political and official response
Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari instructed the Chief Minister of Sindh and the Mayor of Karachi to utilize all available resources to extinguish the fire.
He expressed deep grief over the loss of lives and property and offered condolences to the families of the deceased. Bilawal also ordered an immediate investigation and directed authorities to take steps to prevent such incidents in the future.
A spokesperson for the Sindh government said that all possible resources are being provided and efforts are ongoing to control the fire as soon as possible.
Importance of Gul Plaza in Karachi
Gul Plaza holds a unique place in Karachi’s commercial landscape. Located on MA Jinnah Road, near Preedy and Lighthouse, it has long been considered a hub for affordable and diverse shopping.
The plaza is famous for selling clothing, toys, electronics, crockery, cosmetics, household items, and imported goods from countries including China, Thailand, and Turkey.
Thousands of small shopkeepers, wholesale buyers, and online sellers rely on Gul Plaza for their livelihoods. The fire has not only caused loss of life but also dealt a major blow to Karachi’s retail and informal economy.
