Karachi: The memory of the deadly Gul Plaza fire continues to haunt Karachi, serving as a grim reminder of the city’s vulnerability to fire-related disasters. Yet, despite the scale of past tragedies, fire incidents continue unabated, exposing serious lapses in safety measures and emergency preparedness.
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According to The News, Karachi reported 225 fire incidents in January alone, resulting in widespread destruction, injuries, and loss of life. The situation has shown no signs of improvement in February, with more than 20 fire incidents reported in just the first five days of the month, highlighting the city’s persistent risk.
Authorities have warned that without stricter enforcement of safety regulations and greater public awareness, residents will continue to face daily threats from both major and minor fires.
On Thursday alone, fires were reported at six different locations across the city. While no human casualties were recorded, two animals — a cow and a buffalo — sustained burn injuries.
The deadliest incident occurred on January 17, when a massive blaze at Gul Plaza claimed 79 lives, including women and children, and injured at least 22 others, according to official figures. Although no disaster of similar magnitude has occurred since then, small-scale fires continue to break out daily, with five to six incidents sometimes reported in a single day.
Last month, four more people — including a child and an elderly man — lost their lives in separate fire incidents. In addition to fatalities, many residents have suffered severe property damage and financial losses, underscoring the ongoing danger fires pose across the city.
Among notable incidents, a man in Landhi died on January 1 after being burned by a fire lit to keep warm during cold weather. On January 26, a blaze at a privately run school operating inside a house in Malir’s Khokhrapar area killed a minor and injured another child, while other students were rescued. Another fatal fire occurred in Gulistan-e-Jauhar on January 28, while a separate incident in Orangi Town also claimed a life. Several others were injured in fires reported in Hawkesbay, Korangi, and near the Met Office area.
District-wise data shows that District Central recorded the highest number of fires in January with 30 incidents. Saddar and the Sohrab Goth–Gulistan-e-Mustafa fire station areas each reported 18 incidents. Nazimabad saw 13 cases, SITE Area 11, and Lyari and Korangi nine each. Manzoor Colony reported 14 incidents, while New Karachi areas recorded 13. Orangi Town and Shah Faisal Colony reported eight incidents each.
On Thursday, fires broke out at multiple sites, including a plastic warehouse near Nauman Kanta on Sher Shah Akbar Road, where flames repeatedly reignited due to the presence of Thermocol. Firefighters, under the supervision of Assistant Commissioner Nida Saman, used heavy machinery to demolish walls and complete cooling operations.
Other incidents included a rooftop fire at a private bank in Korangi No. 4, a blaze involving chemical-filled drums at a perfume factory in Mehran Town, a cattle shed fire in Malir’s Khurramabad area, a gym fire in Federal B Area, and a fire at a K-Electric junction near Fatima Tower in the New Karachi Industrial Area. All were brought under control without human casualties.
Authorities have expressed deep concern over the increasing frequency of fire incidents and stressed the urgent need for stricter safety enforcement, regular inspections, and improved public awareness to prevent further loss of life and property.
