A fierce late-night fire has torn through a multi-storey shopping centre in Karachi, southern Pakistan, resulting in at least three fatalities and injuring around a dozen people, according to local officials.
Rapid Spread and Rescue Efforts
Emergency services were called to Gul Plaza shortly after 10 p.m. local time on Saturday, 17 January 2026. The blaze erupted and spread with terrifying speed, engulfing dozens of shops in the complex. Television footage from the scene showed firefighters in full protective gear battling intense flames that shot from windows and balconies, with several fire trucks using ladders, hoses, and water cannons to tackle the inferno on multiple floors.
An Associated Press reporter at the location reported that thick, black smoke billowed into the night sky, visible from several blocks away. Authorities indicated that the fire's rapid escalation was fuelled by the contents of the affected area, where shopkeepers had stored large quantities of imported garments, clothing, and plastic household goods.
Casualties and Ongoing Investigation
Police and rescue officials confirmed the tragic loss of three lives, with several others injured. Local media reports suggested that most shop owners were in the process of closing their stores or had already departed for the day when the fire broke out, potentially preventing a higher casualty count.
The exact cause of the Karachi mall fire is not yet known and will be the subject of an official investigation once the blaze is fully extinguished. This incident has once again cast a harsh light on fire safety standards in the country's most populous city.
A Recurring Tragedy in Karachi
This is not an isolated event for Karachi, the capital of Sindh province. The city has a history of similar devastating incidents, often linked to inadequate safety measures. In a grim reminder of the risks, a fire at a different Karachi shopping mall in November 2023 killed 10 people and left 22 injured.
As noted by officials, a critical factor in such tragedies is the widespread lack of modern fire prevention and firefighting systems in buildings across Karachi and other parts of Pakistan. This recurring structural deficiency frequently leads to significant property damage and loss of life when fires ignite.
