KARACHI: More than a dozen workers were rescued after a massive fire broke out at a chemical manufacturing unit in the SITE Industrial Area on Tuesday morning, police and rescue services officials said.

The blaze erupted at Al-Fatah factory, which produces detergent washing powder.

Rescue 1122 spokesperson Hassaan Ul Haseeb Khan told Dawn that they received information about the fire at around 10:37am. Initially, two fire tenders were dispatched to the scene. Around 17 workers who were trapped inside the premises were rescued promptly.

As the fire involved chemicals, six additional fire tenders were called in and specialised foam was used to contain the blaze. The fire was brought under control by around 2pm, though cooling operations continued till night.

The exact cause of the fire could not be immediately ascertained.

Mr Khan said the single-storey factory was spread over 2,000 square yards. He added that firefighters faced no major difficulties in controlling the blaze due to prompt support from the district administration and police, who cordoned off the area and ensured access for emergency teams.

Published in Dawn, February 18th, 2026