KARACHI: The devastating fire at Gul Plaza on Karachi’s MA Jinnah Road has once again exposed the deadly consequences of poor safety standards, overcrowded commercial buildings, and weak enforcement of regulations. The fire broke out around 10:30pm on Saturday, at the multi-storey shopping centre and continued to burn through Sunday, causing parts of the building to collapse, leaving at least 14 people dead, including a firefighter, dozens injured, and more than 50 still missing.

According to rescue officials, the mall housed over 1,200 shops filled with highly flammable materials such as carpets, blankets, and resin-based goods. These materials acted as fuel, intensifying the fire and making it extremely difficult to contain.

Fire Brigade Operational In-charge Zafar Khan said the lack of proper ventilation caused the building to fill with thick smoke, severely slowing rescue operations and increasing the risk to both trapped civilians and firefighters.

Although firefighters have now brought the main fire under control, officials warn that the building is extremely unstable and could collapse at any moment. Rescue operations have been scaled back due to the high risk, with authorities focusing on debris removal and recovery efforts.

Among the dead are men in the prime of their lives; traders, workers, and a firefighter who was killed when part of the building collapsed during the operation. Authorities have also recovered body parts of additional victims, including a child, making identification difficult and heartbreaking for families.

Rescue officials estimate that between 54 and 59 people are still missing. Police are using mobile phone data to trace missing individuals, while families have been asked to provide details through helplines and help desks set up at hospitals. DNA testing may be required to identify unrecognisable remains.

Sindh Police Chief Javed Alam Odho stated that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by a faulty circuit breaker. However, officials acknowledge that a full investigation will only be possible once cooling operations are complete.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, who visited the site, termed the incident deeply tragic and urged people not to politicise the disaster. He said the provincial government would conduct transparent investigations and compensate affected traders for their losses.

However, the bigger question goes beyond this single incident:
How many more lives must be lost before safety regulations are enforced?

Overcrowded markets, illegal modifications, lack of emergency exits, poor wiring, and absence of fire safety equipment are common in commercial buildings across the city. Gul Plaza is not an exception — it is a warning.

 Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)