US experts hired to assess raging fire at Karachi's Korangi

KARACHI: The authorities have hired services of the US experts for the fire in Korangi area of Karachi, which has been unabated for last more than two weeks.

The petroleum ministry has hired a US company’s services after the chief secretary Sindh intervened into the matter, a spokesperson said.

“Technical teams of the Pakistan Petroleum and the UEPL jointly visited and inspected the affected area,” chief secretary’s spokesperson said.

The team comprises of drilling and safety experts inspected the site and observed intensity of fire at the place, spokesman said.

The dig-hole at the place has further expanded and hot water being discharged from it. “The experts are consulting over a strategy to fill the well with cement,” spokesman said.

“Any decision with regard to digging a new well and to reach the source of the gas that is keeping the fire ignited, will be taken after the experts’ report,” spokesman said.

Chief Secretary Sindh has said that modern equipment being arranged to assess the quantity of gas and the temperature. “The Sindh government has been in contact with institutions to tackle any emergency situation”.

The fire near Korangi Creek oil refinery in Karachi broke out during digging of the land is unabated for last two days as a team of experts visited the spot on Sunday to collect samples for lab tests.

The fire ignited during excavation of the land, located in a private society in Korangi Creek after over 1200 feet deep boring or drilling conducted.

“The fire likely to be ignited owing to a gas deposit underground,” hydrocarbon experts opined. “There might be a small underground pocket of gas near the surface,” experts said.