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Massive Fire Near Karachi Oil Refinery; No Casualties Reported
A fire broke out near an oil refinery in Karachi's Korangi, with over 20 fire trucks battling the blaze. Authorities suspect underground oil or gas pockets as the cause. No casualties reported.
ND
by News Desk
2025-03-29
Massive Fire Near Karachi Oil Refinery; No Casualties Reported

A massive fire erupted near an oil refinery in Karachi’s Korangi area on Saturday, prompting an extensive firefighting operation involving over 20 fire trucks from Rescue 1122, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), and Pakistan Refinery Limited (PRL). No casualties have been reported so far, officials confirmed.

According to a Rescue 1122 statement, the fire started in a gas pipeline near the refinery, though its exact cause remains under investigation. Officials suspect underground oil or gas pockets may have been ignited during groundwater drilling in the Korangi Creek area.

Authorities Rush to Contain Fire

Sindh Rehabilitation Minister Makhdoom Mehboub Zaman has directed Rescue 1122 Director General (DG) Abid Jalaluddin Shaikh to closely monitor the situation. The Edhi Foundation also deployed ambulances and volunteers to the site as a precautionary measure.

Korangi police officials, including Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Tariq Nawaz and Station House Officers (SHOs) from nearby areas, have been deployed to assist emergency teams. Authorities confirmed that while the fire remains intense, it has been contained within an area of 300 to 400 square yards and is not spreading.

Despite heavy use of water and foam, DG Shaikh stated that the fire has not been fully extinguished. Experts from the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) and Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) have collected soil samples to determine the fire's exact cause, with results expected within hours.

Possible Underground Oil Reservoirs?

The Zaman Town SHO revealed that both the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) and PPL denied having any pipelines in the affected area. However, an existing oil refinery pipeline may have leaked, or an underground crude oil reservoir could have ignited.

Officials are also considering the possibility that digging in the coastal area for a housing project may have triggered the fire.

Second Fire Incident in North Karachi

In a separate incident, another fire broke out in a gas pipeline near Al-Hamid School in North Karachi. Rescue 1122 dispatched a fire brigade and ambulance to the scene, where firefighting efforts are ongoing.

Karachi frequently witnesses fire incidents due to poor fire safety measures. Earlier this month, a major blaze at Kawish Plaza on Sharea Faisal prompted a large-scale rescue operation.

Authorities continue to monitor the Korangi fire, urging residents to remain cautious and avoid the affected area.
Tagged:

Rescue1122

FireSafety

KarachiFire

OilRefinery

Korangi
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