KARACHI: (HRNW) Rescue teams have successfully contained a fire that re-ignited in the basement of Gul Plaza, a prominent shopping center on M.A. Jinnah Road. Following the containment, officials confirmed that the cooling process is currently ongoing to prevent further outbreaks.
According to Tanveer Pastan, President of Gul Plaza, a portion of the building’s structure had to be dismantled to provide emergency responders access to the affected area in the basement. He explained that recent stormy weather had damaged the protective netting and grilles outside the plaza, allowing unauthorized individuals, allegedly drug addicts, to enter the premises to steal copper wiring.
Key Details of the Incident:
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Cause of Ignition: It is suspected that the fire started when individuals attempted to burn the plastic insulation off stolen copper wires within the basement.
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Security Breach: The breach in the building’s exterior security due to weather damage facilitated the entry of trespassers.
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Investigation: An official inquiry is underway to determine the exact sequence of events and to implement stricter security measures.
This latest flare-up follows the catastrophic fire that struck Gul Plaza on January 17, 2026. That tragic event lasted for three days and resulted in the loss of over 70 lives, marking it as one of the deadliest building fires in the city’s recent history. The recurring nature of these incidents has raised serious concerns regarding the safety protocols and structural integrity of the shopping center.
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