A fire that erupted at Karachi’s renowned Gul Plaza on Saturday night continued to rage for over 24 hours before firefighters’ arduous efforts were finally able to control most of it.

The death toll from the inferno rose to 14 on Monday, with scores reported to be missing.

Scenes from the site on Sunday showed fire tenders, water tankers and ambulances sprawling on M.A. Jinnah Road, where worried families had gathered in search of their loved ones.

Dawn takes a look at some of the scenes that marred the busy commercial road, crowded for an entirely different reason this time.

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Header image: A huge crowd has gathered as firefighters make efforts to douse a fire at the Gul Plaza shopping mall on Karachi’s MA Jinnah Road on Jan 18, 2026. — Shakil Adil/White Star