KARACHI: A massive fire broke out at a garment factory warehouse near Metroville in Karachi’s SITE industrial area on Monday, prompting an extensive firefighting operation involving multiple emergency teams.
According to the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), firefighters deployed 11 fire tenders, 2 water bowsers and a snorkel vehicle to control the blaze. The fire was declared a third-degree emergency to mobilise the necessary resources and ensure an immediate response.
The cause of the fire, the extent of the damage and any possible casualties had not been confirmed at the time of reporting.
Highly Combustible Materials Complicate Rescue Efforts
KMC Chief Fire Officer Humayun Khan said the fire was intense when firefighting teams reached the warehouse.
He explained that the building contained cardboard, wood, thread, garments, foam, plastic and other combustible materials on its upper floors, making it difficult for firefighters to bring the flames under control.
“Our efforts are focused on bringing the fire under control as soon as possible, after which cooling operations will begin,” Khan said.
The fire reportedly spread across the factory’s second and third floors, with emergency personnel working from both inside and outside the building.
Building Structure Declared Unsafe
Khan warned that parts of the building and its boundary wall had become structurally unsafe because of the fire.
The declaration of a third-degree blaze enabled authorities to mobilise additional resources and coordinate the response across the relevant departments.
Firefighters continued working to contain the flames while assessing the risks posed by the damaged structure.
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Water Shortage Hampers Firefighting
Fire brigade officials at the scene told The Express Tribune that a shortage of water was creating difficulties for the teams battling the blaze.
KMC deployed 2 water bowsers to support firefighting operations, while a snorkel vehicle was also sent to assist with access to the upper portions of the building and address potential safety risks.
The combination of combustible materials, the spread of flames across multiple floors and concerns about structural stability added to the challenges facing emergency personnel.
Rescue 1122 Teams Reach the Scene
Earlier in the afternoon, at around 3pm, the Sindh Rescue 1122 Central Command and Control Centre received information about the fire and immediately dispatched a fire and rescue team, a fire brigade truck and an ambulance.
According to a Rescue 1122 spokesperson, more than 5 fire tenders from Rescue 1122 and the KMC Fire Brigade reached the site to assist in the operation.
The response involved coordination between the emergency service and the municipal fire brigade as crews worked to contain the blaze.
Fire Reportedly Broke Out at Same Location Earlier
Officials said the fire originated in a warehouse on the upper floor of the garment factory at Plot No. A-14 in the SITE area.
They also revealed that a fire had reportedly broken out at the same location a few days earlier.
Further details about the circumstances surrounding the latest incident, including its cause and the extent of the damage, were not immediately available.
Firefighting operations were continuing as emergency teams worked to bring the blaze under control and reduce the risk of further structural damage.
