KARACHI: Over 50 persons, including women, were rescued safely when a huge fire erupted in a multi-storey commercial building on Sharea Faisal on Friday, officials said.

The blaze that took place in Kashif Centre in the morning was controlled by evening after joint efforts of Rescue-1122, KMC’s Fire Brigade, Pakistan Navy and Cantonment Board Clifton, in which recently recruited female firefighters also took part to rescue women.

Rescue-1122 Director General Dr Abid Shaikh told Dawn that they received information about the fire in 16-storey building at around 10:45am.

He said that total 10 fire tenders and three snorkels managed to control the blaze at around 4pm. However, cooling work continued till 5:15pm, he added.

He said around 55-60 persons, including a large number of women who worked in different offices in the building, were safely evacuated through snorkels.

Around five-six persons were given first aid while seven others who were adversely affected after inhaling smoke were shifted for treatment to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre.

Regarding possible cause of the fire, the Rescue-1122 chief said that a short circuit on the fifth floor triggered the blaze which spread upwards and downwards through an electric panel.

Chief Fire Officer of the KMC Ishtiaq Ahmed told the media on the spot that the building was filled with smoke, which caused difficulties for firefighters.

He said there was no exit for smoke in the building. The people were rescued with the help of snorkel and taken to the roof.

Published in Dawn, July 27th, 2024