KARACHI: A fire that reignited in the basement of the blaze-damaged Gul Plaza has finally been extinguished after firefighting teams brought it under control, authorities confirmed on Monday.
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According to the chief fire officer, cooling operations are currently underway at the former shopping hub, where dense smoke continued to pose challenges for responders. The fire, which erupted near Gate No. 2, was contained with the help of multiple fire tenders deployed to the scene.
Earlier, a similar fire at the same location had been extinguished on Sunday with the assistance of additional firefighting units. Officials said that the repeated outbreaks required sustained efforts due to lingering heat and smoke within the structure.
A fire brigade official stated that after extinguishing the blaze, teams shifted focus to cooling operations to prevent any re-ignition inside the building. The complex had been sealed following a deadly fire in January that claimed 79 lives.
Initial response teams were later reinforced as the situation escalated, while authorities attempted to assess the extent of damage to the shops inside the basement.
Additional Deputy Commissioner South Asma Batool said the sealed building caught fire again in the basement, and inspection teams were working to evaluate the situation. The full extent of the damage remains unclear.
Police officials said a suspect, allegedly a drug-addicted individual attempting theft, may have caused the fire after entering the sealed premises. The individual has been taken into custody for questioning.
Firefighting teams also coordinated with the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC), which activated emergency water supply measures through hydrants at Nipa Chowrangi and Safoora. Water tankers were dispatched to support operations.
Authorities used specialized equipment, including smoke injectors, to clear heavy smoke from inside the building. For safety reasons, one lane of MA Jinnah Road was temporarily closed, with traffic diverted from Tibet Centre towards Numaish Chowrangi.
