KARACHI: Firefighters continued their struggle to control the Gul Plaza fire on Sunday afternoon, nearly 16 hours after the blaze erupted on M.A. Jinnah Road. Crews repeatedly doused flare-ups with high-pressure water hoses and flame-retardant foam, but portions of the building remained ablaze.
Read More: Family of man missing in Gul Plaza fire pleads for help
Crowds of onlookers, rescue workers, volunteers, media personnel, and city officials gathered around the scene, watching as fire teams battled the flames. Many locals and shop owners pointed to collapsed sections of the building and visible damage to adjacent structures, including Rimpa Plaza, where fire had spread due to the narrow gap between the buildings.
🚨 BREAKING: KARACHI GUL PLAZA FIRE 🇵🇰🔥
• Up to 14 feared dead, 60+ still missing after massive blaze at Gul Plaza mall, Karachi
• Fire burned for over 36 hours; rescue ops ongoing amid collapse risks
• Police probing cause; unverified reports cite a “Dawood angle,” linking… pic.twitter.com/CQOEdVtoho— GLOBAL PULSE 360 (@DataIsKnowldge) January 19, 2026
“The building was full of plastic goods; it’ll burn for days,” said a bystander. Observers also highlighted the collapsed third-floor parking area, noting concerns about structural integrity and possible further collapses. Firefighters had to navigate limited space and crowded streets, relying on dozens of water tankers from both official and private sources, some of which ran out mid-operation.
Teams used specialized equipment, including snorkels to reach upper floors, and applied flame-retardant foam when water alone was insufficient. Despite the roaring hoses and wailing sirens, smoke continued to pour from several floors, indicating the fire was far from extinguished.
Authorities stressed the difficulty of firefighting in the congested commercial area, where narrow roads and adjacent buildings complicated operations. Security personnel occasionally intervened to keep onlookers and camera-wielding youth at a safe distance.
Read More: Karachi Gul Plaza fire 77 percent contained, rescue ongoing
The ongoing operation highlights the challenges of controlling large fires in older, densely packed commercial structures, where combustible materials, cramped corridors, and inadequate emergency access exacerbate the scale of destruction. As the firefighting effort continues, residents and shop owners remain tense, witnessing the battle between water and fire unfold on one of Karachi’s busiest roads.