Fire Contained at Karachi’s Al Najeebi Market, Echoes of Recent Gul Plaza Tragedy
A fire that erupted at the Al Najeebi electronic market in Karachi’s Saddar area on Monday has been brought under control, with cooling operations currently underway. The incident, which began in the market’s parking area and quickly spread to several vehicles, prompted a swift response from emergency services and raised renewed concerns about fire safety in the city following a devastating blaze at Gul Plaza earlier this year.
Rescue 1122 dispatched the Fire Brigade, rescue teams, and an ambulance to the scene after receiving initial reports of the fire. Videos circulating online showed flames engulfing vehicles within the parking structure.
According to a spokesperson for Rescue 1122, Hassaan Ul Haseeb Khan, all individuals were safely evacuated from the building, though a search continued to ensure no one remained inside. Two people were reportedly affected by smoke inhalation and were treated on-site, with their condition described as stable.
“The situation of the fire is under control so far and KMC fire tenders with snorkel are present on ground to tackle situation. People are being evacuated as we speak,” Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab stated on X (formerly Twitter).
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah lauded the efforts of fire and rescue personnel, emphasizing the need for improved crowd management and traffic flow during such incidents. He directed officials to submit a report on the incident and had already contacted the Karachi mayor, commissioner, and police chief.
“First priority is that if people are trapped in the market, they should be evacuated first. Human lives should be saved at all costs, then property should be saved,” the chief minister stated, according to a government release. He also stressed the importance of teamwork between municipalities, administration, and police during rescue operations.
The incident comes less than two weeks after the catastrophic fire at Gul Plaza, which resulted in at least 80 fatalities and caused an estimated 100 billion Pakistani Rupees in losses. The recent tragedy has fueled calls for increased oversight and accountability regarding building safety standards in Karachi.
Mayor Wahab personally supervised the operation at the Al Najeebi market, inspecting the rescue work from a snorkel lift alongside Muhammad Minhaj Gulfam, President of the Mobile Market Association. Wahab acknowledged the challenges posed by traffic congestion and appealed to the public for cooperation.
Gulfam expressed gratitude for the rapid response of rescue teams, noting that the building association had also maintained its own firefighting equipment, which aided in containing the flames. “Today, goods worth billions of rupees were saved and, more importantly, precious human lives were protected in a better manner,” he said. He estimated that between 200 and 250 people were safely evacuated.
Chief Fire Officer Humayun Khan confirmed that three vehicles inside the building sustained damage, but credited the prompt reporting and swift action of firefighters with preventing more extensive losses.
The January 17th blaze at Gul Plaza, which originated on the ground floor of the multi-story building on MA Jinnah Road, remains under investigation. The aftermath of the Gul Plaza fire has been marked by escalating political tensions, with demands for a judicial inquiry and accusations exchanged between the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan and the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party in Sindh.
Authorities are continuing to assess the full extent of the damage at the Al Najeebi market and are investigating the cause of the fire. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing vulnerability of commercial areas in Karachi and the critical need for robust fire safety measures. “.
