KARACHI, Feb 19: The intense fire that had gutted the top four floors of the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation Building on Sunday was finally put out in the early hours of Monday at after an 18-hour operation.

The offices of the National Engineering Services Pakistan (Nespak) and the PNSC on the top floors of the 14-storey building were completely destroyed.

The 14th floor, which housed the offices of the federal minister for ports and shipping, secretary and chairman and other senior officials of the PNSC were completely gutted.

At least 24 fire-fighting engines and three snorkels were pressed in to service to extinguish the fire which broke out on the 11th floor around 9:15am and later engulfed the other top floors.

A team has been formed to ascertain the cause.