Five killed, one wounded in Karachi’s Arshi Centre fire incident

KARACHI: At least five people were killed and one other injured in a ferocious blaze that engulfed a shopping plaza, Arshi Centre, in Aisha Manzil area of Karachi on Wednesday night, Bol News reported.

The rescue and cooling operation lasted overnight with the help of firebrigade department, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, police, rangers and Pakistan Navy. The fire badly affected the ground and mezzanine floors of the building.

The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) said the building was sealed for inspection to determine if it was worth living or not. K-Electric official said electricity supply to the area was suspended for a precautionary measure.

The fire erupted in a shop due to short circuit, but the flames later spread to other shops of the furniture market in the building.

The fire spread rapidly and soon engulfed the entire building comprising 250 shops and 450 apartments, creating panic among the dwellers.

Senior Superintendent of Police Central said the fire broke out in a bed mattress shop, and it then engulfed the nearby shops. He said that flats were built above the shops.

According to fire brigade officials, 12 fire tenders, two snorkels, and a bowser took part in rescue operation.

Rescue 1122 confirmed over 300 people have been evacuated. The rescue service also expressed the fear of building collapse due to the high intensity of the fire.