Building collapses as factory fire burns for 14 hours in southern Pakistan

A massive fire at a factory in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi continued to burn for more than 14 hours, causing a partial building collapse that injured three firefighters, officials said Sunday.

The fire broke out around 3 a.m. Sunday at a thread manufacturing factory in Karachi’s Landhi Export Processing Zone. Despite continuous efforts, firefighters have not yet fully extinguished the flames.

A senior fire official said the blaze has been classified as a third-degree fire, the most severe level, requiring an extensive response.

“Due to constant burning, one portion of the weakened structure collapsed,” Chief Fire Officer Ishtiaq Ahmed told local media. “Three firefighters were injured in the incident.”

Authorities said at least three factories have been affected by the fire. One was severely damaged, another partially, while a third was saved due to “timely fire brigade strategy,” according to Mayor Murtaza Wahab, who visited the site.

Mayor Wahab added that the fire is believed to have started in a cosmetics factory, where stored chemicals caused it to spread quickly to neighboring facilities.

"Twelve fire tenders, three snorkel units, and several water tankers from the fire brigade and Rescue 1122 have been deployed," he said.

Firefighters continued working in shifts and were seen transferring goods and equipment to safety along with factory workers. No deaths have been reported so far.

The Karachi Fire Department confirmed that safety teams were present and that water supply from nearby hydrants was uninterrupted.

“We are closely monitoring the situation. It’s too early to say how much longer it will take to control the fire,” said Ahmed.

Police officials said an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire. Officials will assess the structural integrity of the damaged buildings once the fire is under control.