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Fire Controlled in Karachi's Sharea Faisal Building; Three Hospitalized Due to Smoke
Fire contained in a multi-storey building on Karachi's Sharea Faisal. Three people hospitalized due to smoke inhalation.
ND
by News Desk
2024-07-26
Fire Controlled in Karachi's Sharea Faisal Building; Three Hospitalized Due to Smoke

Rescue officials successfully controlled a fire that erupted on the upper floors of Kashif Center, a multi-storey building located on Karachi’s Sharea Faisal. The incident, which occurred on Friday, led to three individuals being hospitalized due to smoke inhalation.

 

Rescue 1122 spokesperson Hassaan Khan reported that the fire broke out in an area densely populated with office buildings, including numerous high-rise structures. "As soon as the central command and control [centre] received the information of the incident, the Rescue 1122 team, along with a fire brigade, rushed to the spot," Khan said.

 

The rescue teams promptly evacuated people trapped on the affected floors. Despite the dense smoke complicating the operation, it was concluded successfully. The three individuals affected by the smoke were taken to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC) for treatment. No casualties were reported.

 

Khan further detailed that the rescue team utilized the fire brigade's ladder to access the building. "The operation has been completed and the cooling process of the affected building is underway with ambulances and medical experts present at the spot to deal with the situation," he added.

 

Fire incidents are frequent in Karachi due to insufficient fire safety measures in buildings. Earlier this month, a fire at the Pakistan Stock Exchange building necessitated the evacuation of hundreds of people.

 

In February, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) informed the Sindh High Court that a fire safety audit of over 265 commercial buildings revealed none had a fire safety certificate or a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the fire brigade department. The audit found that 155 buildings lacked fire alarms and smoke detectors, while the status of nine buildings remained undetermined.

 

Additionally, the wiring and electrical systems in over 155 buildings were deemed unsatisfactory, and approximately 200 buildings had inadequate or no firefighting equipment. The Sindh High Court had instructed provincial authorities to ensure that safety standards in all shopping malls were inspected following several fire-related incidents.

 

One such incident last year at R.J. Shopping Mall on Rashid Minhas Road resulted in 11 deaths and five injuries due to a suspected short circuit. The recent fire incidents underscore the urgent need for improved fire safety measures in Karachi's commercial buildings.
Tagged:

Rescue1122

SafetyFirst

EmergencyResponse

FireSafety

KarachiFire
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