Gul Plaza Fire in Karachi: Death Toll Rises to Six as Building Parts Collapse

Karachi, January 18, 2026

A massive fire at Gul Plaza shopping mall on MA Jinnah Road, Karachi, has claimed at least six lives, including a firefighter, while rescue and firefighting operations continue for more than 13 hours. Several parts of the building collapsed due to extreme heat, raising fears that more people may still be trapped inside.

Firefighter Among the Victims

Officials confirmed that the death toll increased after the body of a firefighter, Furqan, from the Nazimabad Fire Office, was recovered from the rubble and shifted to the Civil Hospital Trauma Centre. Hospital authorities reported that four bodies were brought to the Trauma Centre, while two others were taken to the Burns Ward.

Fire Still Burning, Building Declared Dangerous

Rescue officials said the fire is still active in several sections of the building. Due to intense heat, large portions of Gul Plaza collapsed on Sunday morning. The shopping mall has now been declared completely unsafe and dilapidated.

Chief Fire Officer Humayun Khan stated that Gul Plaza is spread over two acres and is sealed from all sides, making firefighting extremely difficult. He added that the building has no proper ventilation, which is allowing heat and smoke to remain trapped inside.

The ground and mezzanine floors have been completely burned, while the upper floors are also affected. The plaza houses shops selling clothes, perfumes, makeup, electronics, toys, and household items, many of which are highly flammable.

Lack of Emergency Exit and Fire Safety Equipment

District South Deputy Commissioner Javed Nabi Khoso confirmed that the building had no emergency exit, which severely affected evacuation efforts. He also revealed that fire extinguishers were not installed, despite instructions given earlier.

Authorities have started checking the building’s approved map and safety compliance records. An investigation is underway to determine why basic fire safety measures were missing.

People Still Trapped Inside

Officials fear that several people may still be trapped inside the building, especially on the first and mezzanine floors. Rescue teams have not been able to reach these areas due to high temperatures and repeated structural collapses.

Rescue 1122 COO Dr Abid Jalaluddin Shaikh said that:

• 20 fire tenders and 4 snorkels are working from three sides
• Highly flammable materials stored inside the plaza are worsening the fire
• A rear portion of the building collapsed, increasing danger for rescuers

He added that air-conditioning shops inside the plaza are creating additional risks due to gas and electrical components.

Explosion Inside the Building

During the operation, a powerful explosion occurred inside Gul Plaza, causing the fire to flare up again. Fire officials said the explosion was likely caused by gas leakage, which further damaged the structure.

Firefighting was briefly paused early Sunday morning for safety reasons but resumed after 15 minutes.

Evacuations and Injuries

According to DIG South Asad Raza, at least 25 people have been safely evacuated so far. Around 15 injured persons were taken to Civil Hospital, most of whom were discharged after treatment. Two injured people were also treated at Jinnah Hospital and later discharged.

Government and Leaders React

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the incident and ordered all relevant agencies to fully support rescue efforts and provide assistance to affected traders and families.

President Asif Ali Zardari also conveyed condolences and directed hospitals to provide the best possible medical care to the injured.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah ordered an immediate investigation and instructed authorities to strictly enforce fire safety laws across Karachi. He also directed that fire safety audits be carried out in all commercial buildings.

Sindh government spokesperson Sadia Javed said that 40% of the fire has been brought under control, but firefighters are struggling to enter the building due to extreme heat.

Traders Express Serious Concerns

Gul Plaza Traders’ Association President Tanveer Pasta claimed that 80 to 100 people may still be trapped inside. He said that while customers managed to escape, many shopkeepers and workers were still inside when the fire spread.

According to traders:

• Gul Plaza has around 1,200 shops
• Financial losses are estimated to be in billions of rupees
• Rescue access has been very limited

They also criticized the slow response from senior officials, stating that only the Governor of Sindh visited the site.

Cause of Fire Yet to Be Confirmed

Initial reports suggest the fire started in a shop selling artificial flowers on the ground floor. However, officials say the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Final Words

The Gul Plaza fire has once again highlighted the serious lack of fire safety compliance in Karachi’s old commercial buildings. As rescue operations continue, authorities face increasing pressure to ensure accountability and prevent such deadly incidents in the future.