Massive Fire at Karachi’s Historic Gul Plaza Claims 14 Lives, Dozens Missing

Karachi: A devastating fire ripped through the historic Gul Plaza shopping centre in Karachi late on the night of January 17, causing extensive destruction and leaving at least 14 people dead, while around 60 others remain missing, according to officials.

The blaze engulfed the sprawling commercial complex—spread over an area larger than a football field and housing nearly 1,200 shops—sending towering flames and thick plumes of smoke into the night sky. Eyewitness accounts and video footage showed the building completely ablaze as firefighters battled the inferno throughout the night.

Rescue and cooling operations continued until the morning of January 19, with teams painstakingly removing debris and attempting to stabilise the structure.

Casualties and Rescue Challenges

Karachi Police Chief Javed Alam Odho confirmed the death toll at 14, adding that nearly 60 people are still unaccounted for. He said rescue operations are ongoing but declined to give a definite timeline for their completion due to the dangerous condition of the building.

At least 18 injured persons were treated and later discharged from hospital. However, officials warned that the death toll could rise as search operations continue. Rescue teams have cautioned that the remaining structure is extremely unstable and could collapse at any moment, posing a serious risk to personnel.

Cause of the Fire

Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire was triggered by a short circuit, possibly linked to a circuit breaker failure. Police said the rapid spread of the flames was worsened by the presence of highly flammable materials, including carpets, fabrics, resin-based goods and packaging stored inside the mall.

Fire department officials noted that poor ventilation within the building led to the accumulation of dense black smoke, severely hampering rescue efforts and making it extremely difficult to reach those trapped inside.

Public Anger and Official Response

The tragedy has sparked widespread public outrage among local residents and shop owners. When Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab visited the site, he was met with angry protests and anti-government slogans. According to local media reports, demonstrators accused authorities and the fire department of delayed response and administrative negligence.

Several shop owners said their lifelong savings and decades of hard work were wiped out overnight, intensifying calls for accountability and compensation.

One of Karachi’s Deadliest Fires

The Gul Plaza blaze is being described as one of the deadliest fire incidents in Karachi’s recent history, drawing grim comparisons to the 2012 industrial fire, which killed over 280 people and was later declared a case of criminal negligence by the courts.

As investigations continue, the disaster has once again highlighted serious concerns over fire safety standards, building regulations, and emergency preparedness in Pakistan’s largest city.