Firefighter among six dead, several missing

MOHAMMAD BILAL TAHIR

KARACHI: An old shopping centre in Karachi, Gul Plaza, was reduced to rubble by uncontrollable flames that erupted on Saturday night, leaving six people including a firefighter dead and 22 injured. “Some 50 people are still missing,” said Muhammad Ismail, Chairman of the Gul Plaza Traders Association, adding that many families remain in constant contact, anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones.

According to shopkeepers, the fire broke out in a home decor shop located on the ground floor and quickly spread throughout the building.

Gul Plaza, home to nearly 1,200 shops selling a wide variety of items, is now completely flattened, causing losses worth billions of rupees to the owners.

“There was a shop on the ground floor that caught fire. Our shop was also engulfed by the flames. We tried to save our limited merchandise, but most of it was reduced to ashes,” an eyewitness told reporters.

Gul Plaza Shopping Centre, located on M A Jinnah Road is a prominent wholesale market offering a wide range of products, including bedsheets, crockery, plasticware, toys, and babywear.

Visitors have long praised the vast variety of high-quality items available under one roof. The shopping centre is particularly known for its impressive selection of home decor, toys, and trendy children’s clothing. Additionally, it houses numerous shops selling decorative flowers and vases imported from various countries.

The operation to douse the third-degree fire continued for at least 18 hours, from late Saturday night until Sunday evening. However, rescue efforts were still underway at the time this story was filed.

Talking to journalists outside Gul Plaza on Sunday, Gul Plaza Traders Association Chairman Muhammad Ismail and Pakistan Serial Association Chairman Muzammil Rauf Chappal described the incident as a major human and economic tragedy whose impact would be felt for a long time. They confirmed that, according to initial reports, six people have died, while more than 50 others remain missing.

Trader leaders said at a press conference that around 6,000 employees of Gul Plaza have lost their jobs, raising fears of hunger in their households. They demanded that at least six months of financial assistance be announced for affected workers.

They strongly criticised civic authorities, alleging a delayed response by the fire brigade and a shortage of water in fire tenders, which allowed the blaze to engulf the entire building. They said traders had appealed to officials throughout the night to save their shops and goods, but no effective support was provided.

Stressing that the restoration and reconstruction of Gul Plaza would require massive financial resources, they urged the government to collaborate with the private sector so that traders could stand on their feet again and thousands of employees could regain their livelihoods.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah also visited Gul Plaza and reviewed rescue and firefighting operations.

Addressing the reporters, the chief minister said the area is a major commercial hub, particularly busy due to the ongoing wedding season.

“People come here for shopping, especially these days,” he remarked.

Shah said reports of the fire were received after 10:00 pm last night, following which municipal authorities responded immediately and informed him.

“The first fire tender reached the site at 10:27 pm and firefighting operations began without delay,” he said.

He disclosed that an extensive operation was carried out to control the blaze. “A total of 26 fire tenders, four snorkels, and 10 water bowsers took part in the operation,” he said, adding that several institutions extended support. “Along with KMC, the Pakistan Navy and Karachi Port Trust provided snorkels, while the Civil Aviation Authority dispatched three firefighting machines.”

Expressing deep sorrow over the loss of lives, the chief minister said that according to the latest information, six people lost their lives, including a firefighter from the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation.

He termed the situation extremely worrying, saying that 58 to 60 people were still reported missing. Briefing the media on the structure, Chief Minister Murad Shah said the affected building consisted of a basement, ground floor, and three floors, housing more than a thousand shops. He cautioned against speculation regarding the cause of the fire, stating that it was too early to draw final conclusions.

He further explained that firefighters faced severe difficulties during the operation.

“Due to the building’s layout and lack of access points, firefighters could not enter the structure easily, which unfortunately led to greater damage,” he said.

During his visit, the chief minister was briefed by Labour Minister Saeed Ghani and Commissioner Karachi Hassan Naqvi on the incident and ongoing efforts. He also met affected shopkeepers and families, personally consoling them and sharing their grief.

The CM assured that the government would conduct a thorough investigation into the incident, take necessary steps to prevent such tragedies in the future, and provide all possible support to the victims.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed deep sorrow over the deadly fire at Gul Plaza, directing authorities to take all possible measures to protect lives and property and ensure swift assistance to those affected.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office Media Wing on Saturday, the premier instructed that all concerned institutions work together during the rescue operation to minimize losses and safely evacuate those trapped inside the building.

The prime minister also directed that affected traders and other victims be provided every possible form of assistance. He expressed solidarity with the families of those who lost their lives in the tragedy and offered prayers for the early recovery of the injured, while ordering that they be given complete medical facilities. Separately, President Asif Ali Zardari also expressed profound grief and sorrow over the tragic incident. In a statement issued by the Presidency’s Media Wing, the president conveyed condolences over the loss of precious human lives and extended heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families.