People Tried to Reach Rooftop to Escape Gul Plaza Fire, But Exit Door Was Locked: KMC Fire Officer

Karachi: A Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) fire officer has revealed that during the Gul Plaza fire, people attempted to escape by heading toward the rooftop, but the door leading to the roof was locked, trapping those inside.

Speaking to the media outside Gul Plaza, Fire Officer Zafar Khan said that the fire broke out around closing time, when most of the market’s doors had already been locked.

He explained that three fire tenders were dispatched simultaneously when the initial alert was received, but rescue efforts were hampered by narrow roads and chaos among shopkeepers, with each trader urging firefighters to save their own shop first.

Zafar Khan added that a fire safety audit by KMC had earlier revealed alarming shortcomings, with only 5 percent of buildings equipped with proper fire safety systems. He said most buildings lacked emergency exits and firefighting equipment.

He stated that all relevant agencies have been working round the clock since the first day, and firefighting teams continue operations despite extreme heat. Cooling operations are still underway at two locations, and two bodies were recovered during search operations a day earlier.

According to the fire officer, one portion of the building has been cleared, while two sections remain. Search operations will continue in those areas where access was not possible earlier, and efforts will be made to rescue anyone trapped under the debris.

He added that teams are being deployed to structurally stable sections of the building, and fallen debris will also be carefully searched to ensure no victims remain trapped.