A massive fire erupted late Saturday night at Gul Plaza, a multi-storey shopping mall on MA Jinnah Road in Karachi, killing at least six people, including a firefighter and injuring over 20 others. The blaze, which began around 10:45 PM on January 17, 2026, continued into Sunday afternoon despite intense firefighting and rescue efforts.
According to authorities, six bodies and at least 11 injured people were brought to Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK), where an emergency was declared. The Edhi Foundation and police surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed confirmed the rising death toll. Among the deceased was firefighter Furqan Shoukat, who lost his life while battling the inferno.
Here are some powerful visuals capturing the intensity of the fire and the ongoing response
Initial investigations suggest the fire started in shops on the ground floor and rapidly spread due to highly flammable goods such as clothes, cosmetics, carpets, electrical appliances, perfumes, and resin-based materials. The decades-old building — reportedly housing around 1,200 shops, far beyond its approved capacity — lacked proper fire safety measures, including functional exits, sprinklers, alarms, and ventilation systems. Several sections of the structure later collapsed after hours of burning.
Rescue 1122 spokesperson Hassaanul Haseeb Khan said that the weakened condition of the building made operations extremely risky, forcing firefighters to proceed cautiously. More than 20 fire tenders and around 40 snorkels were deployed, with additional support from the Pakistan Navy, Rangers, and Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC). By Sunday afternoon, officials stated that 40–60% of the fire had been controlled, though complete extinguishment could take up to two days.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and grief as families gathered outside, desperately searching for missing relatives. Residents Mansoor and Jameel from Delhi Colony reported losing contact with six family members , including a 14-year-old girl, who were inside the mall at the time.
These images show firefighters battling the flames amid thick smoke and structural damage.
Videos circulating on X (formerly Twitter) showed parts of the building collapsing amid thick black smoke, while Edhi officials provided live updates from the site.
Preliminary reports from Sindh IG Javed Alam Odho and Garden SDPO Mohsin Raza indicate that a short circuit or faulty breaker likely caused the blaze — a problem that had previously triggered fires at Gul Plaza in 2008 and 2016.
In response, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah ordered an immediate inquiry, along with comprehensive fire safety audits of commercial buildings across Karachi. President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari expressed condolences and directed full assistance to victims and affected traders. Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab pledged support for the families of the victims, particularly the martyred firefighter.
Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon noted over 17 people treated for suffocation, with many discharged, and emphasized a thorough probe. Helplines for missing persons include: 0313-5048048, 021-99206372, 021-99205625 (Sindh govt), and 021-99205670, 021-99201196, 021-99205691 (South Zone police).
This incident underscores Karachi’s recurring fire risks due to poor infrastructure, weak safety enforcement, faulty wiring, and negligence in old commercial buildings. Experts at a 2025 conference and a December Sindh Assembly resolution had warned of the need for modernization , yet tragedies persist.
Originally published by Dawn News.
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