KARACHI: The back part of the building collapsed as a result of a destructive fire that started at around 10 p.m. last night at the business center Gul Plaza on MA Jinnah Road and could not be put out. The collapse has sparked concerns that rescue workers would be buried beneath the rubble, but rescue efforts are still ongoing at Gul Plaza. After the partial collapse, the Chief Fire Officer reported that one firefighter was buried beneath debris.
According to him, the building’s structure has been significantly compromised by the fire, and noticeable fissures can be seen all over it. Fire tenders were sent out five to ten minutes after the fire department received the alarm at approximately 10:30 p.m. He continued by saying that how such a large-scale fire started so quickly should be looked at. The fire has not yet been put out. Three persons perished from asphyxia, and two were burned to death. Five of the twenty injured people who have been taken to the hospital are said to be in critical condition. Five victims’ remains were found in a second-floor store.
Volunteer rescuers haven’t been able to get inside the building yet. There may still be a number of persons stuck on the second and third levels, according to reports. Teams from the fire department are using snorkels to look for anybody who are stuck inside. An emergency has been declared at water hydrants to guarantee supply, and fire trucks from all across the city are still stationed at the spot. There is a significant chance that the entire plaza could collapse because of the fire’s third-degree ferocity. Firefighting and rescue operations were made more difficult by the recurrent sounds of exploding gas cylinders and air conditioners coming from inside the building during the operation.
