On September 9, 2025, a massive fire erupted at a garment factory in New Karachi’s industrial area, resulting in eight firefighters sustaining injuries and the complete collapse of the three-story building. Here are the key details:
đ„Â 1. Incident Overview
Location: The blaze occurred at a garment factory in New Karachiâs Sector 8-A industrial area .
Casualties: Eight firefighters were injured, with four critically hurt and shifted to trauma centers. A private TV cameraman was also injured during the collapse .
Building Damage: The factory, which stored dyeing chemicals and clothing, completely collapsed after a loud explosion, hampering rescue efforts .
â°Â 2. Timeline and Response
Start of Fire: The fire began around 6:30 AM and intensified rapidly, leading to the building’s collapse by noon .
Rescue Operations: 14 fire tenders, water bowsers, snorkels, and rescue teams (including Rescue 1122 and Edhi) were deployed. Operations were supervised by senior police and district officials .
Challenges: The presence of diesel drums and chemicals exacerbated the fire, and the collapse raised fears of trapped individuals, though no factory workers were inside initially .
đ„Â 3. Injuries and Medical Response
Injured Personnel: Eight firefighters suffered burns and injuries from the collapse. Four were critical and moved to Civil Hospital Karachi, two to a private hospital in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, and two treated at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital .
Medical Alert: Hospitals were put on standby for potential additional casualties .
đ§ŻÂ 4. Cause and Investigation
Suspected Cause: An electrical short circuit is preliminarily blamed, though investigations are ongoing .
Safety Concerns: The incident highlights recurring issues like poor infrastructure, lack of fire safety compliance, and inadequate emergency protocols in Karachiâs industrial areas .
đ 5. Context and Recurring Issues
Previous Incidents: Similar fires have recently occurred in Karachi, including a August 2025 blaze at the Karachi Export Processing Zone that injured eight people .
Systemic Negligence: Reports indicate 70% of Karachiâs buildings lack proper fire safety systems, with nearly 3,000 fire incidents recorded in 2024 alone .
đ Conclusion
This fire underscores urgent needs for stricter enforcement of fire safety regulations, improved industrial infrastructure, and enhanced emergency preparedness in Karachi. Authorities must prioritize reforms to prevent such tragedies in the future
