A massive fire swept through a multistory shopping mall in Pakistan’s largest southern city of Karachi late Saturday, killing at least three people and injuring around a dozen others, police and rescue officials reported.
The blaze erupted at Gul Plaza shortly after 10 p.m. local time, prompting a swift response from firefighters and emergency personnel. Local media reported that most shop owners had either closed their stores or left the premises when the fire began, but the flames spread rapidly through the building.
Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the fire. Police said an official investigation would be launched once the blaze is fully extinguished. Experts note that many structures in Karachi and other parts of Pakistan lack adequate fire prevention measures and firefighting infrastructure, which frequently contributes to significant casualties and property losses in such incidents.
Television footage showed firefighters clad in protective gear battling the inferno as flames erupted from windows and balconies. Fire trucks lined the streets, deploying ladders, water cannons, and hoses to control the blaze. Thick black smoke rose high into the night sky, visible from several blocks away.
Officials said the fire quickly engulfed areas of the mall where shopkeepers stored imported garments, clothing, and plastic household goods—materials that fueled the intensity of the blaze. Rescue teams evacuated trapped individuals, while several people were treated for smoke inhalation and minor injuries.
Karachi, the capital of Sindh province, has witnessed a string of deadly fires in recent years. In November 2023, a fire in another shopping mall claimed 10 lives and injured 22 others, highlighting persistent safety challenges in the city’s commercial hubs.
Authorities have urged residents to avoid the area while emergency teams continue to battle remaining hotspots. Fire safety experts have called for stricter enforcement of building codes and improved firefighting facilities to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The Gul Plaza fire marks the latest in a series of deadly incidents that underscore the vulnerability of Pakistan’s urban centers to rapid, destructive fires.
