Fire at shopping complex in Pakistan’s Karachi kills at least six

At least six people were killed after a major fire tore through a shopping complex in Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, overnight, officials said on Sunday, as firefighters battled intense heat and structural risks to bring the blaze under control.

Videos circulating on social media showed flames billowing from the multi-story building as firefighters worked through the night to prevent the fire from spreading in the densely packed business district. Hundreds of people gathered nearby, including distraught shop owners whose businesses were reduced to ash.

The fire broke out late on Saturday at Gul Plaza, a multi-story commercial building located on M.A. Jinnah Road, a busy artery in central Karachi. Authorities said the inferno rapidly engulfed large sections of the mall, hampering rescue efforts and forcing emergency teams to proceed cautiously.

Officials said roughly 60% of the fire had been contained by Sunday morning, but firefighters were still unable to enter parts of the building due to extreme temperatures and the risk of collapse. “The structure is old, and the fire has severely weakened it,” chief fire officer said, adding that operations were continuing with heightened safety measures.

Police surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed said six bodies had been brought to Karachi’s Civil Hospital and 11 injured people were being treated, with police invoking mass disaster protocols.

Rescue authorities said the mall housed over 1,000 shops, many stocked with highly flammable goods including clothing, electrical appliances, cosmetics and perfumes, which fueled the spread of the fire. By Sunday morning, at least 20 fire tenders from multiple departments were deployed at the scene, according to a rescue service spokesperson.

Pakistan’s Edhi welfare organization, which is assisting in rescue efforts, said part of the building had collapsed due to the intensity of the blaze, further complicating operations.

Police said initial assessments suggested the fire may have been triggered by an electrical short circuit in one of the shops, before spreading throughout the building. Officials cautioned, however, that the exact cause would be determined after a full investigation.

Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori expressed concern over the incident and directed authorities to speed up rescue and relief operations, according to a statement from his office. He also sought an immediate report on the cause of the fire and the response by emergency services.

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar said traffic had been diverted from the area to allow emergency vehicles unhindered access. He instructed officials to secure the building to prevent further damage and ensure the fire did not spread to nearby structures.

Authorities said firefighting and cooling operations were expected to continue until the blaze was fully extinguished.

With additional input from Reuters