KARACHI: A huge fire that erupted in the Iqbal Market on main M.A. Jinnah Road near Jama Cloth Market on Tuesday destroyed three shops completely and damaged four others partially, said police, fire brigade and rescue services officials. No one was hurt in the incident as the people were quickly evacuated from the affected building, the officials added.

Shops are located on the ground floor while upper floors are mostly used for residential purposes.

The Rescue-1122 spokesperson said that the fire spread from a ground floor shop to other shops due to presence of foams, which is a highly flammable substance.

It was declared a third degree blaze and fire tenders were called in from different stations. Over one dozen fire tenders controlled the fire after hectic efforts lasting for several hours, the officials added.

Three shops were completely destroyed while four other shops partially damaged. Cash in the counter of one of the destroyed shops also turned to ashes.

The KMC fire department chief, Ishtiaq Ahmed, told media that the fire had erupted in a mattress shop “due to a short circuit”.

He said there was no fire safety measures in the building, nor any ‘emergency exit’.

The officer added that they were carrying out a survey of commercial and residential buildings for fire safety measures, but this building was not examined.

Published in Dawn, March 6th, 2024