Five Killed, 20 Injured as Massive Fire Engulfs Gul Plaza on MA Jinnah Road

Karachi: At least five people lost their lives and more than 20 were injured after a third-degree fire broke out at Gul Plaza located on MA Jinnah Road in Karachi. Despite the passage of several hours, firefighters struggled to bring the blaze under control.
The fire erupted around 10:15 pm on Saturday on the ground floor of the shopping plaza and quickly spread up to the third floor. Rescue officials confirmed that five people were killed in the incident, while 20 injured individuals were shifted to nearby hospitals, where several are reported to be in critical condition.
According to Fire Brigade officials, efforts to extinguish the fire are ongoing with the help of 20 fire tenders and four snorkels. Water and foam are being used to control the blaze, while fire tenders from the Pakistan Navy are also participating in the firefighting operation.
The fire completely destroyed all shops on the ground floor. Firefighters are facing severe difficulties in entering the building due to intense heat. Market sources said the shopping plaza houses more than 1,200 shops, and rescue officials warned that several people are feared trapped inside.
The Chief Fire Officer said a powerful explosion occurred inside the building, which caused the fire to intensify. He added that the explosion was likely caused by a gas leak. During the rescue operation, two people were injured after a fire brigade ladder broke and they fell.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari directed the Chief Minister Sindh and the Mayor of Karachi to utilize all available resources to extinguish the fire. Expressing deep sorrow over the loss of lives and property, he offered condolences to the families of the deceased and ordered an immediate investigation into the incident. He also directed authorities to take measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Sindh government said that all necessary resources are being provided and efforts are underway to bring the fire under control at the earliest.