KARACHI: A fire at an illegal petrol pump in Karachi's Shah Faisal Colony claimed at least one life, trapping residents inside a nearby building. Initial reports suggest that the petrol pump was operating unlawfully beneath the residential structure, endangering the lives of the occupants.
The fire spread through the building, leaving people stranded.
Rescue teams struggled to evacuate those trapped due to the building being filled with dense smoke. Initially, one fire department unit was dispatched, but five more fire tenders were later called in to assist.
Several motorcycles parked outside the petrol pump also caught fire. A fire brigade official confirmed that the blaze in the lower portion of the building was brought under control, and those trapped were moved to the rooftop. One person was rescued in a semi-conscious state, while five fire brigade units remained at the scene.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Korangi, Tauheed Mumtaz, confirmed that one person died in the incident and that those trapped on the rooftop had been safely rescued. He also stated that the fire had been completely extinguished.
SSP Mumtaz revealed that the police had shut down the petrol pump a month and a half earlier, but the owner had obtained court orders preventing further action.
A rescue official noted that a final search operation would be conducted once the area had cooled down. Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Syed Murad Ali Shah took notice of the incident, urging authorities to expedite rescue efforts.
A statement from CM House said the chief minister directed the Karachi Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner to immediately reach the site and ensure the safety of the people.
The statement confirmed that the illegal petrol pump was the cause of the fire, and CM Murad called for strict legal action against illegal fuel sellers. He emphasized the need for a crackdown on such operations, stating that no one should endanger people's lives. The chief minister also requested a report from the relevant authorities.
