Five die, over 20 sustain burns in Karachi plaza fire
Pakistan
Hectic efforts on to bring the fire under control
Fire brigade officials said that the intensity of the fire is continuously increasing, the fire has engulfed several more shops, efforts are underway to control the fire with the help of 14 vehicles
Rescue officials said that there were reports of several people being trapped in the shopping plaza. The fire broke out on the Mezzanine Floor of the shopping plaza.
Mayor of Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab expressed deep sorrow and regret over the loss of life due to fire in Gul Plaza and said that he stands with the grieving families in this difficult time.
KARACHI (Dunya News) – Five people died and over 20 sustained injuries when a plaza caught a fire on MA Jinnah Road here on Sunday, Dunya News reported.
The blaze took place in the ground and first floors of Gul Plaza on Jinnah Road. Initial report suggested that five people had lost their lives after suffocation and stampede.
Sindh Interior Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar have taken notice of the plaza fire and issued directives for route clearance to reach out to the fire site by the firefighters and Rescue 1122 to douse the inferno at the earliest.
More than 12 fire vehicles are taking part in the operation to control the fire. According to rescue officials, those died have been identified as Aamir, Asif and Faraz.
The number of injured and unconscious people due to the fire has increased to 20 and they have been shifted to the hospital. The condition of the injured is also said to be critical.
Fire brigade officials said that the intensity of the fire is continuously increasing, the fire has engulfed several more shops, efforts are underway to control the fire with the help of 14 vehicles, while people are being evacuated from the plaza with the help of snorkels.
Rescue officials said that there were reports of several people being trapped in the shopping plaza. The fire broke out on the Mezzanine Floor of the shopping plaza.
The fire also engulfed the shops on the ground and first floors. Many people in the plaza took shelter on the roof. The number of shops in the shopping plaza is more than 1,000.
HOME MINISTER ZIAUL HASSAN LANJAR
Taking notice of the fire in Gul Plaza, the Sindh Home Minister directed the relevant authorities to prevent the fire in the building from spreading and to find out the causes of the fire.
He also directed to set up alternative routes for the immediate evacuation of citizens.
SORROW OVER LOSS OF LIFE
Mayor of Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab expressed deep sorrow and regret over the loss of life due to fire in Gul Plaza and said that he stands with the grieving families in this difficult time.
He said that fire brigade and rescue teams are present at the scene, and relief operations are underway. He directed all departments of the Greater Municipality to remain alert and provide all possible assistance to the victims.
The story is developing
