KARACHI: Three people were arrested after a huge fire erupted in the gutted structure of Karachi’s Gul Plaza shopping centre on Sunday, which was brought under control by over half a dozen fire tenders after several hours, according to police and rescue services officials.

The development comes after a huge fire erupted at the shopping centre in January this year, claiming the lives of over 70 people and destroying hundreds of shops.

Rescue 1122 spokesperson Hassaanul Haseeb Khan told Dawn that the service received information about a fire in the basement at around 5:00pm.

“Six fire tenders managed to control the blaze after hectic efforts up to 70 per cent, but thick smoke and heat is still emanating from the building,” he stated.

Khan added that a “special response team” — set up after the previous Gul Plaza fire and equipped with the latest equipment — was deployed to the scene.

He said initially, they were informed that the fire had erupted “spontaneously” in bushes inside Gul Plaza’s basement.

“Since there was no ventilation inside the basement, firemen faced immense difficulties in controlling the blaze,” he explained.

He noted that there was no vegetation in the basement, but the fire had been fuelled by the remains of merchandise.

“Heavy machinery was called to extinguish it,” he added.

South Deputy Inspector General Syed Asad Raza told Dawn that police received information about the fire erupting at around 4:53pm.

“Three drug addicts have been taken into custody as initial findings suggest that the fire was started by them,” he said.

The South police chief added that drug addicts thronged the place, though he denied allegations of the theft of metals from the site.

“Eight policemen on duty at Gul Plaza have been suspended on charges of negligence,” DIG Raza said, adding that the relevant authorities had sealed the shopping centre and covered it with a green cloth.

“During recent rains, the damaged parts [of the building], which were previously covered, were further damaged. Because of this, the building was accessible and was not properly secured,” he explained.

The official said police had written a letter to the relevant authorities about the risk of drug addicts entering Gul Plaza, which may create a “security problem” and put lives at risk.

He said authorities were urged to “repair and secure the place as soon as possible to avoid any issue”. The DIG said police had asked the district administration for “enhanced security and re-sealing” of Gul Plaza after the rainfall in the metropolis this week.