Massive fire engulfs solar panel, cosmetics warehouses in Karachi

Published October 2, 2024
Firefighters hose the flames at the warehouse in Hawkesbay, on Tuesday. —PPI
Firefighters hose the flames at the warehouse in Hawkesbay, on Tuesday. —PPI

KARACHI: A huge fire erupted in two warehouses containing solar panels and cosmetics in the Hawkesbay area on Tuesday, officials said.

While the fire at the solar panel warehouse was controlled after 12 hours, efforts were underway to put out the blaze in the cosmetics storage unit till late in the night.

DIG-South Syed Asad Raza told Dawn that the exact cause of the fire was being ascertained.

He said police had rushed to the spot and rescued workers from the warehouses while Fire Brigade and Rescue-1122 were called. Realising the gravity of the problem, fire tenders from the Pakistan Navy and Air Force were also called, he added.

Sindh Government’s Rescue-1122 official Hassaan Khan told Dawn that they initially received information about a fire in one Ansari Godown at Hawkesbay.

When their team reached the spot, they realised that it was the warehouse of solar panels, solar batteries and other inflammable material and chemicals due to which it was difficult to control it with water. Therefore, foam was used to control the blaze, Mr Khan added.

The official said the presence of chemical material there caused rapid spread of fire, prompting them to call back up teams. The fire was so huge that it also engulfed another warehouse nearby.

“The second warehouse primarily dealt with chemicals,” opined Mr Khan as “hazardous, inflammable chemical” was present there, which was being used for manufacturing perfumes, cosmetics, make-up material.

He said that thousands of liters of the foam had been used but the fire at the second warehouse could not be controlled after a passage of 12 hours.

Published in Dawn, October 2nd, 2024

Opinion

The price of chocolate

The price of chocolate

Little attention is paid to any long-term strategy which might prevent vulnerable children from working in homes where they are in danger.

Editorial

Cholistan project
Updated 18 Feb, 2025

Cholistan project

GPI goals align with Pakistan's broader economic aims but the manner in which the initiative was launched raises questions.
Right to know
18 Feb, 2025

Right to know

IT is an unfortunate paradox that while on paper Pakistan has some of the most impressive right to information laws,...
Dam dispute
18 Feb, 2025

Dam dispute

THE situation in Chilas needs attention and a fair-minded approach so that it can be resolved amicably. Diamer ...
Climate funding gap
Updated 17 Feb, 2025

Climate funding gap

Pakistan must boost its institutional capacity to develop bankable climate projects.
UN monitoring report
Updated 17 Feb, 2025

UN monitoring report

Pakistan must press Kabul diplomatically over its tolerance of TTP terrorism.
Tax policy reform
17 Feb, 2025

Tax policy reform

THE cabinet’s decision to create a Tax Policy Office at the finance ministry has raised hopes that tax policy is...