KARACHI: Firefighters on Sunday afternoon were still trying to put out a massive blaze that erupted at the Gul Plaza shopping mall on the city’s MA Jinnah Road last night, with authorities confirming six deaths so far.

Among the deceased was a firefighter who lost his life while engaged in the fire-extinguishing efforts.

The Edhi Foundation said in a statement that the death toll had risen to six. Police surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed also confirmed that six bodies and 11 injured had been brought to Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK) so far.

State-run APP reported that an emergency has been declared at the hospital.

The Sindh government has established a helpline to report anyone missing due to the fire or to direct their queries, which can be contacted at 0313-5048048, 021-99206372 and 021-99205625.

A separate statement by the South Zone police also listed the following helpline contact numbers: 021-99205670, 021-99201196 and 021-99205691.

Speaking to the media at the site, Karachi Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad said the fire has been brought under control by upto 60 per cent.

“Operation to put out the fire is under way, then the cooling process will start,” he said, adding that the search for any missing people will begin afterwards.

In a statement run by APP, Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said “more than 17 people” had been taken to hospitals due to suffocation, several of whom were discharged after receiving medical treatment.

Noting that Gul Plaza was an old building, he said the final cause of the fire will only be known after the completion of investigations. He added that 40 snorkels were taking part in the operation.

Earlier in the morning, Rescue 1122 spokesperson Hassaanul Haseeb Khan told Dawn that around 20 people had been injured in the incident.

A DawnNewsTV correspondent present at the site reported that all sides of the mall had been impacted, with one having “completely collapsed”.

He added that several people had gathered near the site, who had come to look for their relatives, including shopkeepers working at the mall.

Delhi Colony residents Mansoor and Jameel told DawnNewsTV that they were unable to contact six of their family members who had come to Gul Plaza last night for shopping.

They said their last contact was at around 10:10pm last night, after which their mobile numbers were not reachable. The missing members comprised three women, two men and a 14-year-old girl.

“There were goods such as crockery, clothes, electrical appliances, cosmetics and perfumes in various shops, due to which the fire intensified,” Rescue 1122’s Khan explained.

The spokesperson added that on Sunday morning, 20 fire tenders from different departments and institutions were being employed to extinguish the blaze.

“But the building appears very old, and there is a danger that its structure may fall anytime because of the impact of the fire. Thus, the rescue operation is being carried out with extreme caution,” he said.

He earlier told Dawn that the fire had erupted in shops located on the building’s ground floor.

A firefighter identified as Furqan Shoukat also lost his life during the fire-extinguishing efforts, according to a statement by Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab.

“In this time of grief, we stand with the family of martyred Furqan and the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation will provide full support to its martyred employees,” the mayor was quoted as saying by APP.

He said teams and machinery are fully engaged in extinguishing the fire.

In a separate statement, Wahab said all municipal departments have been directed to provide full support to the victims.

‘Seemingly caused by short circuit’

Sindh Inspector General (IG) Javed Alam Odho told reporters at the site that the fire had erupted at around 10:45pm last night.

“It appears to have been caused by a circuit breaker,” he said, noting that Gul Plaza housed around 1,200 shops and also had a basement.

“The layout and construction of this market was such, and secondly, the nature of the items in it — such as carpets, blankets and other objects made of resins — so the fire is still simmering because of these.”

Garden Sub-divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Mohsin Raza also said in a statement on Saturday night that the fire appeared to have been caused by a short circuit at one of the shops, before spreading to the entire mall.

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar directed officials to divert traffic in the area to alternative routes for the safe passage of citizens.

In a statement, he said that the cause of the fire should be ascertained through a thorough investigation. He said that the building should be secured so that the fire does not spread.

The minister said the routes should be cleared so that fire brigade vehicles could access the scene.

A Sindh Rangers spokesperson said in a statement that personnel had been deployed to the scene of the incident.

“Rangers personnel are actively participating in rescue activities and rescue operations along with the fire brigade staff,” the statement, which was issued shortly after the fire erupted, said. “Officers and personnel will remain at the scene until the rescue operation is completed.”

The statement further read that in addition to aiding in rescue operations, a contingent of Rangers had been deployed to cordon off the building for the safety of civilians and to ensure traffic flow.

“Alongside fire tenders, Rangers personnel are evacuating trapped people and ensuring the safety of valuables,” the statement read, adding that protecting lives and preventing the fire from further spreading was a top priority.

On Friday afternoon, at least 20 containers, mostly containing electrical batteries, were destroyed as a huge fire erupted at the Karachi Port Trust (KPT).

CM Murad orders inquiry

Taking notice of the incident, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah issued orders to the Karachi commissioner for an immediate inquiry into the matter and to prepare a report on the cause of the fire.

“The fire safety arrangements in the building should be inspected,” CM Murad was quoted as saying in a statement.

He ordered the strict implementation of fire safety rules and action against those whose negligence or carelessness would be proven.

“A fire safety audit should immediately be conducted of Karachi’s commercial buildings,” CM Murad said.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had ordered the Sindh CM to deploy all resources to control the fire, APP reported.

Expressing grief over the loss of life and property, he offered condolences to the bereaved families and demanded an immediate probe to prevent future tragedies.

President, PM vow assistance for affected traders

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed their deep grief over the fire at Gul Plaza and the resulting loss of lives.

In a statement reported by APP, PM Shehbaz directed that all possible measures be taken to ensure the safety of people’s lives and property.

He further instructed that all possible assistance should be provided to the affected traders and other individuals, and that all necessary facilities should be provided to the injured.

He stressed that all relevant departments should work together in the rescue operation.

In his statement, President Zardari directed that the Sindh government — which is of his PPP — and the relevant authorities “provide immediate and every possible assistance to the affected people and the traders”.

“No stone should be left unturned in providing the best medical facilities to the injured,” the statement quoted him as saying.

In a statement reported by APP, Memon said the Sindh government will decide the future course of action after a complete assessment of the losses.

The minister said that whether it is the trader community or other affected individuals, the government will make every effort to provide maximum possible assistance within the framework of law and regulations.

Chief secretary, governor visit site

Sindh Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah visited the site of the incident earlier in the day to assess the rescue operations.

The South deputy commissioner and Rescue 1122 officials briefed him on the steps taken to control the fire.

The chief secretary issued orders for the deployment of all available fire tenders and additional rescue workers.

Soon after the fire began, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori had also visited Gul Plaza, where he was briefed on the rescue and relief operations.

Standing alongside the traders whose shops were ablaze, the governor issued directives for the rehabilitation of the affected.

Prior to his visit, in a statement from his office, Tessori expressed concern over the incident and ordered the relevant authorities to immediately expedite rescue and relief operations.

He also ordered an immediate report on the incident and firefighting operations, while assuring traders and others affected by the blaze of full cooperation.

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This is a developing story that is being updated as the situation evolves. Initial reports in the media can sometimes be inaccurate. We will strive to ensure timeliness and accuracy by relying on credible sources, such as concerned, qualified authorities and our staff reporters.

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Additional input by Imran Ahad Khan