The death toll from the catastrophic fire at Gul Plaza on M.A. Jinnah Road has risen to 28, as rescuers continue to comb through the smoldering, structurally unstable wreckage. What began as a local fire on Saturday night has transformed into a national tragedy, laying bare the systemic failure of fire safety and urban governance in Pakistan’s largest metropolis.
The Disaster in Numbers
The fire, classified as a “third-degree blaze,” burned uncontrollably for nearly 48 hours before being declared under control on January 19.
- Confirmed Dead: 28 (including one firefighter, 36-year-old Furqan Ali).
- Missing: Dozens remain unaccounted for, with families waiting for DNA results to identify recovered remains.
- Economic Impact: Estimated losses of at least 3 billion rupees, with over 1,200 shops destroyed.
- Structural Damage: Approximately 40% of the building has collapsed; the neighboring Rimpa Plaza has also been declared unsafe.
A “Foreseeable” Tragedy
While the initial spark is suspected to be a short circuit in a ground-floor shop selling artificial flowers, investigators and urban researchers argue that the “spark” was not the real killer. Instead, it was the building’s design and a total lack of safety infrastructure:
- Locked Exits: Reports indicate that 13 of the building’s 16 exits were locked at the time of the fire to prevent shoplifting near closing time.
- Missing Equipment: The plaza lacked smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, sprinklers, and emergency hoses.
- Flammable Cargo: The building was a “tinderbox,” packed with plastic goods, garments, and cosmetics that fueled the inferno.
- Narrow Access: Firefighters were hampered by narrow Saddar streets and crowds of onlookers, which delayed water tankers from reaching the site.
The Government’s Response
In the wake of the disaster, the Sindh government has termed the incident a “national tragedy.” 1. Compensation: Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah announced 10 million rupees ($35,000) for the families of the deceased. 2. Safety Ultimatum: The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) has given builders across Karachi just three days to address fire safety deficiencies or face legal action. 3. National Ripple Effect: Inspired by the tragedy, the Punjab government and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) in Islamabad have ordered immediate fire safety audits of all high-rise buildings in their respective regions.
“If they had a single fire extinguisher in the shop where it started, this could have been put out in minutes. Instead, we are counting bodies.” — Sub-Fire Officer at the scene.
What Happens Next?
The search operation remains in a “phased” state as heavy machinery from the Army and Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) assists in removing debris. Authorities have stated that the building cannot be fully demolished until every missing person is accounted for.
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