One dies as fire breaks out at Karachi's residential building

KARACHI: At least a person was killed as a fire broke out at an illegal petrol pump in Karachi’s Shah Faisal area, trapping people inside a residential building, ARY News reported.

According to initial reports, the petrol pump was operating illegally under a residential building, putting the lives of residents at risk. The fire engulfed the building, leaving people stranded.

The rescue teams faced difficulties in the operation while trying to evacuate those trapped as the building was filled with smoke.

Initially, one unit of the fire department was sent to put out the fire but later five more fire tenders were also called to the scene to help with the operation. Several motorcycles parked outside the petrol pump also caught fire.

A fire brigade official confirmed that the blaze in the lower portion of the building is brought under control, and people trapped inside were moved to the rooftop.

He said that one person was rescued in a semi-conscious state, while five fire brigade units are still on the scene. Multiple motorcycles parked outside the shop were also gutted in the fire. Rescue efforts were hindered due to dense smoke in the building.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Korangi Tauheed Mumtaz confirmed one person lost his life in the fire incident, adding that those trapped on the rooftop have been rescued.

The SSP Korangi said that the fire is completely extinguished. Tauheed Mumtaz said that the police had shut down the petrol pump a month and a half ago. He said that the petrol pump owner had obtained court orders, which prevented police from taking further action.

A rescue official said that final search operation will be conducted after cooling down the area.

CM Murad takes notice

Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Syed Murad Ali Shah took notice of the Karachi fire incident, directing to expedite the rescue operation.

A statement issued by CM House said that the chief minister also directed the Karachi Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner to reach the site of the incident immediately.

“Every effort should be made to move people to a safe space,” the CM said. The safety of people’s lives and property should be ensured in all cases,” CM Murad added.

The statement read that the main cause of the fire was said to be an illegal petrol pump. CM Murad directed concerned authorities to take strict legal action against illegal petrol sellers.

“A crackdown needs to be initiated wherever there are illegal, open petrol businesses like this. No one has the right to play with the lives of people,” the statement said.

The chief minister also sought a report from authorities concerned