A fire broke out on Monday at a clothing factory located in the Landhi Export Processing Zone of Karachi, resulting in minor injuries for three individuals due to smoke inhalation, as reported by Rescue 1122.
The inferno led to partial collapse of the factory structure and spread to a neighboring facility, as confirmed by spokesperson Hassaan Ul Haseeb Khan from Rescue 1122. Fortunately, thanks to swift evacuation efforts, there were no fatalities.
The fire incident began around noon and continued to burn through the night, necessitating the deployment of over a dozen fire trucks to manage the situation.
Details of the Incident
Khan indicated that the control room received an alert regarding the fire at approximately 12:53 PM. The factory involved is known for importing second-hand clothing, which is then refurbished for sale.
At the time of the fire, a significant number of workers were present, but they managed to evacuate safely. However, seven workers were initially trapped inside when firefighters arrived. Rescue teams successfully got them out, though three of them lost consciousness from smoke inhalation. Fortunately, they did not suffer any burn injuries and received immediate first aid.
The factory consisted of a ground floor along with three additional stories, all of which caught fire. The prolonged exposure to flames and heat led to severe structural damage, with around half of the building collapsing and the rest sustaining significant damage.
Extent of Damage and Response
The intensity of the blaze resulted in it spreading to an adjacent factory, which also faced considerable structural damage. A total of 16 fire tenders from various firefighting units, including Rescue 1122, the KMC Fire Brigade, and the EPZ’s firefighting team, were deployed to control the fire, which was still active during the reporting.
Khan mentioned that an investigation into the cause of the fire would be conducted once it was fully extinguished. Sadly, all goods stored in both affected factories were lost in the flames.
Edhi Foundation ambulances and volunteers were also present at the scene to assist with the rescue operations, highlighting the collaborative efforts during the emergency.
Fire Safety Concerns in Pakistan
Fires are a common occurrence in various buildings throughout Pakistan, often attributed to inadequate infrastructure, poor enforcement of safety regulations, and widespread negligence. Many buildings lack essential fire safety measures such as proper exits, alarms, and emergency protocols, and issues like faulty wiring and overloaded electrical systems further elevate the risk of fire incidents.
Notably, the tragic Gul Plaza fire on January 17 resulted in the loss of at least 73 lives and took nearly two days to fully extinguish, leaving over 1,100 shops damaged. In February, a significant fire in a plastic factory at the Landhi EPZ affected multiple nearby facilities and required extensive firefighting efforts for 13 hours to control.
In the subsequent weeks, additional fires occurred in various locations including a high-rise building near Baloch Colony and a chemical factory in the SITE Industrial Area, underscoring the ongoing challenges of fire safety in the region.
