A massive fire has engulfed Gul Plaza a multistory shopping complex on M.A. Jinnah Road in Karachi killing at least five people and injuring more than 20 others as firefighters and rescue teams battled intense flames that lasted for hours and caused parts of the building to collapse. The blaze which broke out late Saturday night quickly spread through the plaza’s approximately 1,200 shops many of which contained flammable goods making rescue operations extremely challenging. Authorities deployed more than 20 fire tenders and snorkels joined by Pakistan Navy crews but thick smoke and extreme heat forced emergency teams to proceed with caution fearing dozens of people could still be trapped inside. Witnesses described chaotic scenes as traders and shoppers fled while smoke filled stairwells and corridors hampering evacuation. Officials said roughly 60 percent of the blaze had been brought under control by Sunday morning though portions of the building remained unstable. The deceased include both shopkeepers and first responders while several injured are in critical condition. Sindh government representatives and city authorities vowed a full investigation into the cause of the fire and promised to use all available resources to bring the situation under control even as family members anxiously searched for missing loved ones amid the smoldering ruins. The tragedy highlights ongoing concerns about fire safety emergency preparedness and structural hazards in crowded commercial complexes across Karachi.
