Gul Plaza Fire Inquiry Commission Identifies Those Responsible, Calls Incident a Collective System Failure

The inquiry commission investigating the Gul Plaza fire has determined responsibility for the tragedy, describing it not as the failure of a single institution but as a collective failure of the system. The commission held successive provincial and local governments collectively responsible for failing to ensure adequate safety and regulatory measures. More than 72 precious lives were lost in the fire, according to the commission’s report.

The report found that most routes inside Gul Plaza were either blocked or obstructed when the fire broke out, with only two to four of the building’s 16 routes accessible. Windows were blocked by grilles, merchandise and other obstacles, while essential fire-safety systems, including fire alarms, smoke detectors, sprinklers, hydrants, hose reels and fire pumps, were absent. The commission said the administration failed to take corrective measures despite previously identified fire-safety deficiencies and did not implement recommendations made in fire-safety audits.

The commission held Gul Plaza’s de facto management committee responsible, noting that the unregistered body exercised practical control over the building’s administration and decision-making. The building’s owners, occupants and commercial operators were also not absolved of responsibility. The report identified children allegedly playing with matches near Shop No. 193 as a possible cause of the fire, but said the exact cause could not be conclusively established in the absence of a forensic report. It added that large quantities of highly flammable materials, including plastic, rubber, melamine and clothing, were stored inside Gul Plaza, contributing to the rapid spread and escalation of the fire.