Gul Plaza fire inquiry links tragedy to unsafe wiring, delayed emergency response

KARACHI: A 21-page inquiry report into the deadly Gul Plaza fire has found that the blaze started in a flower and gift shop after an 11-year-old child accidentally ignited artificial flowers with a match, triggering a fast-spreading fire fuelled by highly flammable material and major safety lapses.

According to the report, the shop owner, identified as Naeemullah, had left the premises under the supervision of the child.

A neighbouring shop worker witnessed the incident, and the committee described leaving minors unattended at the shop as “serious negligence.”

The report comes as Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has written to the Sindh High Court Chief Justice seeking a judicial inquiry into the tragedy.

Panic After Power Cut, Blocked Exits Trapped People

The inquiry said that around five minutes after the fire broke out, a floor guard switched off electricity, plunging the building into darkness and sparking panic among the estimated 2,500 people inside.

It said that an unsafe electrical system may have further intensified the blaze. While three to four gates on the ground floor were open at the time, smoke quickly filled stairways, blocking escape routes and leaving many people trapped inside shops.

Fire Escalated Rapidly, Equipment Failed

The report said the fire escalated into a third-degree blaze between 10:50 pm and 10:55 pm, engulfing the entire building.

Firefighting equipment became ineffective as the intensity of the flames rendered available tools useless.

Delays in Water Supply Hampered Rescue

The report highlighted “serious delays” in supplying water to firefighters. The first water bowser arrived at 11:53 pm, while continuous water supply could only begin after midnight.

It also noted that rescuers lacked essential equipment, including metal cutters needed to reach people trapped behind iron grills on the mezzanine floor. Delays in cutting the barriers further hindered rescue efforts.

Weak Oversight and Poor Follow-Up

The inquiry criticised the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, the Civil Defence and the district administration, saying their reports remained limited to paperwork.

Although fire audits were conducted, there was no effective follow-up to ensure compliance, and even basic identification of building corridors had not been carried out, it said.

The Gul Plaza fire is among the deadliest recent incidents in Karachi, raising renewed questions over enforcement of building safety regulations and emergency preparedness.