KARACHI: A huge fire erupted at a factory in SITE on Thursday evening, prompting authorities to call fire tenders across the metropolis. However, no casualties were reported.

Rescue 1122 Spokesperson Hassaanul Haseeb Khan initially told Dawn that information about a fire at a textile industry near Nauras Chowrangi was received around 6:15pm.

“Fire tenders have been called across the metropolis as the fire has been declared a third-degree blaze,” he said.

Khan said the affected factory was a clothes-dyeing unit, adding that chemicals were also stocked there. However, no casualties had been reported so far, he said.

Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) Javed Alam Odho also took notice of the incident and directed personnel to immediately reach the spot, cordon it off, and secure the surrounding areas.

The IGP also directed officials to clear a pathway for the fire brigade and rescue teams.

Khan later told Dawn that the fire was controlled by around 10pm, for which 12 fire tenders and two snorkels were employed.

He said it seemed that the fire broke out due to a short circuit, adding that the blaze had damaged the factory and the material stored there.

Keamari SSP Ajmad Ahmed Shaikh in a statement also confirmed that the fire had been extinguished and the cooling process had started.

Meanwhile, Fire Brigade chief Humayun Ahmed Khan told the media that firemen initially saved boilers from exploding. He said had the boilers exploded, much destruction had occurred.

He added that there was no fire safety equipment in the factory.

Separately, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah ordered an inquiry to ascertain the cause of the fire.

According to an official statement, he also issued instructions for a comprehensive audit of all factories in the province.

He said chemical safety protocols should be implemented strictly in industrial units, and action should be taken against those who stocked chemicals without any permission.

He said fire safety and chemical storage should be examined in factories and an inspection drive of all industrial units should be initiated.

“An audit report should be submitted to the CM office immediately,” Murad directed, vowing that no one would be allowed to play with the lives of the people.