KARACHI: Three cars were damaged in a fire that erupted at a high-rise commercial building near Saddar’s mobile market on Monday evening, officials said.

South DIG Syed Asad Raza told Dawn that the fire broke out in the multistorey Al Najeebi Electronic Market at around 7:45pm.

He said the fire had erupted in a parking area located on the seventh floor of the high-rise building. As a result, he said, three cars were damaged in the blaze.

Four fire tenders and a snorkel were sent to the scene to put out the blaze.

The DIG said the fire had been controlled and cooling work was underway.

Rescue 1122 spokesperson Hassan Khan said that two people were evacuated safely, but their condition was adversely affected by smoke inhalation, because of which they were being provided medical aid.

The rescue service added that the fire had been brought under control.

Mr Khan said it appeared that the battery of a parked electric vehicle caught fire, which spread and engulfed two other vehicles parked there.

Amid reports that the rescue operation was hampered due to the presence of a large number of onlookers at the scene, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah directed the authorities to further improve crowd management and ensure smooth flow of traffic on roads leading to the affected area.

He also appreciated rescue workers for their timely action in putting out the blaze. He asked them to work with complete dedication to protect lives and property of citizens.

The incident comes a little over two weeks after a huge fire erupted at Gul Plaza, which claimed the lives of 73 people on January 17.

Published in Dawn, February 3rd, 2026