KARACHI: Four parked cars were gutted in a huge fire erupted in a fireworks godown in the Saddar area on Sunday, police and firemen said.

The loud explosions of fireworks kept in the warehouse caused panic and fear among area residents.

The SHO of the Preedy police station said that the fire broke out due to an electric short-circuit in an empty plot, where material used in making firecrackers was stored near the Sea Breeze Complex.

The fire brigade dispatched several fire tenders, which managed to control the fire after hectic efforts lasting for around one hour. No loss of life was reported. However, four cars parked there were destroyed.

The area SHO said that they would lodge an FIR against the owner of the firework material on charges of criminal negligence and damages.

Area residents told the media that one Hanif owned the godown and he used the place to store firecrackers and its material ignoring all the dangers to life and property of the citizens.

They recalled that a fire had also erupted in the same godown some years ago.

Gang active in Clifton, Defence busted

Police on Sunday claimed to have busted another gang involved in house robberies in Clifton and Defence.

South SSP Zubair Nazeer termed it an ‘inter-provincial gang’ of robbers.

He said that the Darakhshan police during snap-checking arrested three suspects — Sikander Khan, Zeeshan Khan and Sohail Khan — and recovered arms from their possession.

During interrogation, it was transpired that held Sikander was a close aide of a “most wanted suspect” Mohammed Bilal and had allegedly committed several house robberies in Clifton and DHA.

“Bilal along with his accomplices was involved in 16 house robberies in Clifton and Defence last year,” the SSP said, adding that the police had arrested four accomplices of Bilal, but it appeared that he had former a new gang.

The police claimed to have recovered three pistols from their custody. A case was registered against them and raids were being conducted to arrest their accomplices, he added.

Earlier on Oct 15, the Gizri police had arrested four suspected robbers and said that their gang was also active in Clifton and DHA.

Published in Dawn, October 18th, 2021