A deadly fire tore through a busy shopping plaza on MA Jinnah Road in Karachi, killing six people including a firefighter and leaving more than thirty injured, several with critical burns. The blaze erupted late Sunday night and quickly spread across the ground and first floors, filling the old structure with thick smoke. As panic grew, people rushed for exits while others climbed toward the roof seeking safety. Consequently, the chaotic evacuation led to suffocation and injuries.
Rescue officials warned that more deaths could follow because several shop workers and staff remain trapped inside the damaged building. A portion of the rear structure collapsed during operations, increasing danger for victims and firefighters battling intense flames. Moreover, the plaza houses more than one thousand shops, many storing flammable materials that fueled the fire. Therefore, authorities classified the incident as a third-degree blaze, making control extremely difficult.
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More than twenty fire tenders, snorkel vehicles, and foam units from Rescue 1122 and the fire brigade joined the operation to contain the inferno. However, traders criticized slow response times, blocked access routes, and lack of modern equipment. They claimed these failures worsened losses estimated in billions of rupees. As a result, anger grew among affected shop owners and families.
Sindh Interior Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar took notice of the incident and ordered route clearance and a probe into the fire’s causes. Meanwhile, Mayor of Karachi Murtaza Wahab expressed deep sorrow and pledged full support for grieving families. He directed municipal departments to stay alert and assist rescue teams. Still, traders said officials arrived too late.
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Authorities closed major sections of MA Jinnah Road to manage rescue work, causing traffic diversions and widespread congestion. Emergency teams continued evacuations amid fears further structural collapse could occur due to extreme heat damage. Meanwhile, injured victims were shifted to nearby hospitals, with doctors monitoring several in unstable condition. Ultimately, the tragedy reignited debate over building safety, fire preparedness, and accountability in Pakistan’s largest city.