January 25, 2008	Friday	Muharram 15, 1429

KARACHI, Jan 24: The fire in Berger Paints’ Site manufacturing unit was finally brought under control during the small hours of Thursday, said a fire department official.

Two factory employees suffered burns but no loss of life was reported. However, the fire destroyed the bulk of the factory.

Firemen from the city district government and other agencies battled the blaze, described as ‘third-grade’, for over 13 hours during which some firemen suffered smoke inhalation problems.

The chief fire officer relieved the fire tenders of their duty at about 4.30am but the cooling process continued until noon.

A considerable portion of the factory warehouse crumbled under the firemen’s night-time efforts and some vehicles – including a loading truck, two cars and a fork-lift – were also gutted completely.

Baldia building collapse

Meanwhile, the Karachi Building Control Authority (KBCA) has disclosed the difficulties being faced in launching a campaign against illegal or unsafe buildings that threaten citizens’ safety.

Referring to the recent collapse of a Baldia Town building that killed two people, the building controller said on Thursday that “initial findings indicate substandard construction material and the builder’s violation of the regulations.”

The KBCA statement added that the chief controller of buildings, Rauf Akhtar Farooqui, has assigned a team to investigate the collapse and apportion responsibility.