Gul Plaza fire probe exposes chain of safety failures, delayed response

WEB DESK: An investigation into the deadly Gul Plaza fire has revealed a cascading series of safety lapses, weak emergency response, and regulatory failures, with the blaze traced to a ground-floor shop and compounded by the absence of basic fire-prevention systems, according to a 20-page inquiry report.

Fire sparked by unattended child

The report states that the fire originated from an artificial flower shop on the ground floor after the shop owner left his 11-year-old son unattended. The child was reportedly playing with a lighter along with a friend when the fire broke out.

Power cut hampered evacuation

As the flames erupted, security guards immediately shut off the building’s electricity, a step required in the event of a suspected short circuit. However, the power outage significantly hampered evacuation efforts, leaving several people trapped inside the building.

Lack of safety systems worsened crisis

Investigators found that fire and smoke rapidly spread through the plaza via air-conditioning ducts, worsening the situation. The report notes that Gul Plaza lacked a functional fire alarm system and did not have adequate firefighting arrangements in place, critical deficiencies that delayed both detection and response. Occupants on the upper floors reacted late to the emergency, further complicating rescue efforts.

Firefighting efforts disrupted

Rescue teams reached the site at 11:53am, but operations were hampered when three fire tenders ran out of water shortly after deployment. Water was resupplied only after 45 minutes. The report also points to inadequate training of firefighters, concluding that the fire brigade was not fully equipped to handle an emergency of this scale.

Regulatory failures and lack of coordination

The inquiry highlights serious oversight failures. The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) did not act on unauthorized changes to the building’s plan, while Civil Defence failed to inspect firefighting equipment. Lack of coordination among various departments further undermined rescue and response efforts.

Judicial commission under consideration

Sources say that in light of the findings, the Sindh government is considering forming a judicial commission to determine responsibility for the tragedy. The report, which includes documents and annexes from SBCA, rescue services, Civil Defence, the district administration, fire department, and police, provides a comprehensive account of the failures that contributed to the deadly incident.

Bodies of Gul Plaza victims handed to families

Authorities have begun returning the bodies of victims to their families. Investigators confirmed the presence of the deceased at the site based on proof-of-presence records before handing over the remains. Families of 12 individuals recovered from the debris are scheduled to receive the bodies today, while the presence of over 30 other victims was verified through their last known locations within Gul Plaza.

The remains of 18 people recovered from the rubble were found to be in extremely poor condition, making it impossible to send samples for laboratory analysis. Even DNA results could not be obtained from 12 deteriorated samples. Identification of two victims was achieved using personal belongings, including a watch, ring, and wallet; these were confirmed as the bodies of shop owner Abubakar and his employee Aamir, identified by Abubakar’s son, Taj.