ISLAMABAD: A massive fire erupted early Sunday morning at a factory in Karachi Export Processing Zone (KEPZ), near Landhi, causing extensive damage and taking firefighters 36 hours to bring under control.
Three factories were completely destroyed, and five people were injured, including four firefighters who suffered burns and injuries from falling debris.
Cooling operations continued late into Monday night to prevent the fire from reigniting.
Fire Spreads Quickly Due to Hazardous Materials
The fire started around 4:30 am in a factory storing chemicals.
Due to the presence of inflammable materials and the direction of the wind, the fire rapidly spread to two adjoining factories.
Firefighters initially faced difficulties because of a lack of water supply.
However, Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation provided eight water bowsers, enabling a continuous water flow to control the blaze.
A total of 16 fire tenders and two snorkels were deployed in the operation.
Safety Lapses Complicate Firefighting Efforts
The delayed response was partly due to the factory being closed for Eidul Azha holidays and watchmen being asleep at the time the fire broke out.
Officials found flammable materials stored improperly across various floors, contrary to standard operating procedures, which require these materials to be kept in isolated areas.
The factory also lacked a functional internal fire suppression system and ventilation, which made firefighting even more challenging.
The suspected cause of the fire is a short circuit, but authorities are still investigating.
The financial losses caused by the fire have not yet been estimated.
