KARACHI, Oct 4: A fire broke out on Thursday in an industrial unit in Site, causing heavy losses while 17 fire tenders failed to control the situation despite six hours of fire-fighting.

A fire department official said that after a complaint registered at 1830 hours, eight fire tenders rushed to the spot but officials at the site called for more assistance.

“A portion of the third storey of Essa Tex, used as a godown for garment products, caught fire,” said the official. “Later, the entire floor was engulfed while the fire-fighters faced an acute water shortage. The fire department later called private water tankers to help maintain a continuous water supply.”

Three hours after the fire started, 17 fire tenders — including two from DHA — and three snorkels were at the site. The fire had not been put out until this newspaper went to print.

Located near Valika Chowrangi at plot C-13, the five-storey factory specialising in hosiery production is one of the major textile units in the area. Fire officials did not report any casualty since workers had been on an Iftar break.

While stating that the cause of the fire as well as the extent of losses could not be fully ascertained yet, the official said that there were strong chances that chemicals, used as raw materials, were present and could have triggered the blaze.

Meanwhile, sources in the fire department said that junior fire-fighters’ lack of experience made the job tougher since many of the seniors were suspended by the district coordination officer last month.

The 23 suspended personnel include senior fire officers, firemen and drivers. However, the authorities have not yet presented a reason to frame a charge-sheet.

“The fire department already lacks modern equipment and skilled staff,” said a source. “Needless government action against senior fire-fighters could result in serious losses.”