Gul Plaza Fire Aftermath: Karachi Records 225 Fire Incidents in January

The legacy of the tragic Gul Plaza fire lingers in Karachi, serving as a sharp reminder of the city’s vulnerability to fire. However, fire occurrences continue unabated, revealing major gaps in safety and emergency readiness.

Alarmingly, 225 fire incidents were reported in Karachi in January alone, causing destruction, injuries, and deaths, according to The News on Saturday.

The tendency has persisted into February, with over 20 fire incidents reported in only the first five days, indicating that the city is constantly at risk.

Authorities warn that unless tougher safety measures are adopted and public awareness is improved, Karachi residents will continue to face everyday threats from both major and minor fire events – a risk that must not be overlooked.

On Thursday alone, fires were recorded in six separate spots throughout the city. While no humans were injured in these occurrences, two animals — a cow and a buffalo — had burn injuries.

The bloodiest event happened on January 17, when an inferno at Gul Plaza killed 79 people, including women and children, and injured at least 22 more, according to official estimates.

Since then, no big fire tragedy of comparable magnitude has been documented. However, small-scale fires continue to break out on a daily basis, with as many as five to six occurrences reported in a single day.

Four other people, including a youngster and an elderly man, died in separate fires last month. Along with the loss of life, countless others are dealing with property devastation and financial ruin, giving a bleak picture of the ongoing danger that fires represent to Karachi citizens.

People typically focus solely on the Gul Plaza fire, the lives killed, and the havoc it wrought. While large-scale catastrophes are uncommon, minor fires continue to occur on a regular basis throughout the city. These aren’t simply statistics. Every day, people die and suffer financial losses.

Among other significant events, a man died in Landhi on January 1 after being burned by a fire set to keep warm during the cold weather. On January 26, a fire broke out at a privately owned school located within a house in Malir’s Khokhrapar neighborhood, killing one youngster and injuring another. Other students were saved on time.

Another tragic fire broke out in Gulistan-e-Jauhar on January 28. A separate fire in Orangi Town took one life. Several others were injured in instances reported at Hawkesbay, Korangi, and around the Met Office region.

According to data, District Central reported the most fires (30) in January. Saddar reported 18 incidents, and another 18 happened within the authority of the Sohrab Goth-Gulistan-e-Mustafa fire station.

Nazimabad reported 13 incidences, SITE Area 11, and Lyari and Korangi nine apiece. Landhi reported three instances, with Orangi Town and Shah Faisal Colony reporting eight apiece. Manzoor Colony recorded 14 incidents, while the regions served by the New Karachi Fire Station reported 13.

On Thursday, fires were recorded in several areas, including a plastic warehouse near Nauman Kanta on Sher Shah Akbar Road, where the fire was continuously restarted due to Thermocol. Firefighters employed heavy machinery under the guidance of Assistant Commissioner Nida Saman to destroy walls and finish cooling operations.

Other fires included a fire on the roof of a private bank near the Sultan Hospital in Korangi No. 4, a fire in chemical-filled drums at a perfume factory in Mehran Town, a cattle shed fire in Malir’s Khurramabad area, a fire at a gym in Federal B Area, and a fire at a K-Electric junction near the Fatima Tower in New Karachi Industrial Area. All of the fires were brought under control with no human casualties.

Authorities have voiced concern about the increasing number of fire events, emphasizing the urgent need for stricter safety measures, regular inspections, and increased public awareness to prevent future tragedies.