KARACHI: Firefighters on Thursday brought under control a blaze that erupted in the basement of an eight-storey residential building near the Baloch Colony flyover, rescuing and evacuating more than 100 residents as a precautionary measure, officials said.
Rescue authorities confirmed that the fire broke out in the basement area, which houses an electricity generator and a parking facility. Fire brigade officials initially dispatched three fire engines to the scene, which were later reinforced with two snorkels and four fire tenders to contain the flames.
Officials said evacuation was carried out swiftly to prevent injuries and loss of life, and at least 100 people were safely moved out of the building before the fire was completely extinguished. The building, a high-rise apartment block with four flats on each floor, is located close to the busy Baloch Colony flyover. Emergency teams cordoned off the surrounding area to facilitate rescue operations and ensure public safety.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Authorities said a detailed investigation would be conducted once the situation is fully stabilised.
However, the incident has once again raised serious concerns over emergency preparedness after residents alleged that some fire engines arrived without sufficient fuel. A woman living in the building told the media that residents had to arrange 30 litres of petrol from their own pockets to keep firefighting efforts going. “The fire engines that came to extinguish the blaze did not even have petrol,” she said.
The same resident also praised a police officer, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Arsalan, calling him the “real hero” of the operation. She said the officer played a vital role in helping residents evacuate their flats and ensuring their safety amid the chaos.
Following the incident, Sindh Inspector General of Police Jawed Akhtar Odho directed officials to immediately reach the site. He ordered that the affected building, its residents and nearby areas be secured and that all routes be kept clear to allow unhindered access for fire brigade vehicles, ambulances and rescue teams.
The latest blaze adds to a worrying pattern of frequent fire incidents in Karachi, highlighting persistent gaps in safety standards and emergency preparedness. Memories of the deadly Gul Plaza fire remain fresh, yet blazes continue to occur with alarming regularity.
According to figures cited by The News, Karachi recorded 225 fire incidents in January alone, causing widespread damage, injuries and loss of life. The trend has continued into February, with more than 20 fire incidents reported in the first five days of the month. On a single day earlier this month, fires were reported at six different locations across the city. While no human casualties were reported in those incidents, two animals — a cow and a buffalo — sustained burn injuries.
The deadliest of the recent fires occurred on January 17, when a massive blaze at Gul Plaza claimed 79 lives, including women and children, and left at least 22 others injured, according to official figures.
