Three Dead in Horrific Fire at Karachi’s Arshi Shopping Mall

In Karachi, a fire erupted at Arshi shopping mall and residential flats near Ayesha Manzil, resulting in three fatalities and two injuries.

Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab stated that the fire at the shopping mall is now under control, with the cooling process in progress. Loss estimates will be determined after the fire brigade completes their assessment.

The incident took place in Ayesha Manzil, where the fire originated in foam shops and quickly spread to residential flats. The shopping mall primarily houses foam shops, intensifying the fire, according to police officials.

Rescue operations are underway, with SSP Central Faisal Abdullah confirming the deployment of a Snorkel and a Bowser to evacuate individuals trapped in the affected residential building. Fire brigade official Humayun Khan categorized the fire as third class, noting that it has engulfed the entire building.

Also Read: Emergency Declared as Fire Erupts at Arshi Shopping Mall in Karachi

Authorities issued a safety warning, stating that the affected building is at risk of collapse, urging people to stay away for their safety.

Rescue 1122 reported the safe evacuation of 300 individuals, with no damage to nearby structures. The firefighting and cooling processes are being conducted simultaneously.

Caretaker Chief Minister Sindh Maqbool Baqar has taken notice of the incident, directing officials to closely monitor the situation. Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab emphasized the primary focus on saving human lives, while the exact number of people trapped remains uncertain.

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This incident follows a recent fire at R.J. Shopping Mall, where 11 people lost their lives.

In response, Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab announced a ‘safety audit’ of major buildings across the city, starting with I.I Chundrigar Road and Sharea Faisal, and subsequently Tariq Road. He expressed concern over the lack of emergency evacuation routes in many buildings in Karachi and pledged to take action against those responsible.

Karachi, the economic hub with a population of 20.3 million, faces challenges due to inadequate firefighting infrastructure, as highlighted by urban planners and engineers in a November symposium. They noted that around 90 percent of structures in Karachi lack fire prevention and firefighting systems.