A tragic fire at Gul Plaza shopping mall in Karachi has killed at least 21 people, including a firefighter who lost his life during rescue work.
The fire burned for more than 24 hours, making it one of the most dangerous and shocking mall fires in Pakistan’s history.

Dozens of people are still missing. Families are waiting outside the collapsed building with fear and tears. Many are still hoping their loved ones will be found alive.

Deadly Fire Erupts at Gul Plaza Shopping Mall

The fire started late on Saturday night at Gul Plaza, a large shopping center located on MA Jinnah Road, one of Karachi’s busiest areas.

The mall was:

• Very old
• Densely packed with shops
• Full of flammable goods

By the time firefighters reached the scene, most of the building was already on fire.

Witnesses said:

• Flames were rising high
• Thick black smoke filled the sky
• People were screaming and running

Gul Plaza Had Over 1,200 Shops Inside

Gul Plaza was not a small building. It was massive.

The plaza had:

• Around 1,200 shops
• Clothing stores
• Perfume and cosmetic shops
• Plastic and foam items
• Electronics and accessories

The building covered:

• About 8,000 square meters
• Multiple floors
• Narrow passages

This made the fire spread faster and harder to control.

Firefighters Took Over 24 Hours to Control the Fire

Why the Long Delay Shocked Everyone

One of the most disturbing facts is that firefighters needed more than 24 hours to bring the Gul Plaza fire under control.

This raised many serious questions.

Firefighters said they faced:

• Extreme heat
• No ventilation
• Constant building collapse

The fire did not stop spreading even after many hours of effort.

Reasons Firefighters Could Not Enter the Building

Rescue officials explained why the operation was so slow and dangerous.

Major problems included:

No proper ventilation

• Smoke stayed trapped inside
• Oxygen fed the flames

Very high temperature

• Fire was too intense to enter

Blocked exits

• No emergency escape routes

Building collapse

• Walls and floors kept falling

Because of this, firefighters had to work from outside for many hours.

Firefighter Loses Life During Rescue Operation

Among the dead was a brave firefighter who was trying to control the blaze and save others.

His death deeply shocked:

• Fellow firefighters
• Rescue teams
• The public

People praised his courage and sacrifice.
Many said he died while doing his duty for the city.

Why the Fire Spread So Quickly Inside Gul Plaza

Flammable Material Fueled the Blaze

Rescue officials confirmed that the fire spread fast because the building was full of highly flammable items, including:

• Plastic foam
• Clothes and fabric
• Perfumes and sprays
• Cosmetics
• Cardboard packaging

These materials:

• Catch fire easily
• Produce thick smoke
• Make fires harder to stop

Once the fire started, it moved from shop to shop within minutes.

Parts of Gul Plaza Collapsed During the Fire

As the fire continued, several parts of the building collapsed.

This happened because:

• Extreme heat weakened the structure
• Old construction could not handle the pressure
• Fire burned through the support beams

Collapsed areas included:

• Floors
• Walls
• Shop sections

Rescue teams warned that the entire building could collapse at any time.

Rescue Teams Forced to Slow Down Search

Because of the collapse risk, rescuers had to:

• Stop operations at times
• Wait for the building to cool down
• Use heavy machines carefully

Cranes were brought in to:

• Remove debris
• Lift broken concrete
• Search for trapped bodies

This slow process added to the pain of families waiting outside.

Dozens of People Still Missing After Karachi Mall Fire

Families have reported around 60 people missing after the fire.

Many of them were:

• Shop workers
• Shop owners
• Cleaning staff
• Security guards

A help desk was set up to:

• Register missing persons
• Collect phone numbers
• Track last known locations

Police said:

• At least 26 missing people’s phones
• Were last active inside the building

This increased fears that many may still be trapped under rubble.

Families Wait Outside Gul Plaza in Pain

Outside the collapsed plaza:

• Families cried
• People prayed
• Some fainted from shock

Parents, wives, and children waited all night and day.

Many said:

• They had no updates
• No clear answers
• Only fear and hope

The scene outside the mall was heartbreaking.

Shopkeepers Describe the Horror

Shopkeepers who survived shared painful stories.

One shop owner said:

“My shop was burning in front of my eyes. I could not save anything. Many people were still inside.”

Another witness said:

“We tried using fire extinguishers, but the fire was too strong. Nothing worked.”

Many shopkeepers lost:

• Their life savings
• Years of hard work
• Entire businesses

Smoke Continued Rising for Days

Even many hours after the fire started:

• Smoke was still rising
• Flames were visible in some areas
• The building was unsafe to enter

Most of Gul Plaza was:

• Burned
• Blackened
• Turned into rubble

The smell of smoke covered nearby streets.

Government Response to Gul Plaza Fire Tragedy

President Expresses Grief

President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy.

He said:

• Lives were lost due to negligence
• Safety systems must be reviewed
• Buildings must be checked urgently

Sindh Government Announces Compensation

The Sindh government announced compensation for the victims’ families.

Each family will receive:

• 10 million Pakistani rupees

Officials said:

• Financial help cannot replace lives
• But support is necessary

Safety Audit Ordered for Buildings in Karachi

Authorities announced:

• Fire safety inspections
• Review of old commercial buildings
• Action against unsafe structures

Many citizens welcomed this step, but asked:

• Why does action always come after tragedy?

Serious Questions Raised About Fire Safety in Karachi

This fire exposed major problems in the city.

Key questions include:

• Why was there no emergency exit?
• Why were safety rules ignored?
• Why are old buildings still operating?
• Why did help arrive too late?

Experts say many buildings in Karachi are:

• Unsafe
• Overcrowded
• Poorly regulated

Gul Plaza Fire Is a Wake-Up Call for Pakistan

The Gul Plaza fire in Karachi is not just an accident.
It is a warning.

It shows:

• Weak safety laws
• Poor enforcement
• Slow emergency response

If lessons are not learned, such tragedies may happen again.

Conclusion

At least 26 people have lost their lives, and dozens are still missing. Families are shattered, waiting for answers that may never fully come. A fire that took more than 24 hours to control has left deep wounds on Karachi, not only in the form of a collapsed building, but in the hearts of its people.

This tragedy has once again exposed serious failures in fire safety, building oversight, and emergency preparedness. When commercial buildings operate without proper exits, ventilation, or fire protection systems, disasters become only a matter of time. What happened at Gul Plaza was not just an accident; it was a warning that came at a terrible cost.

At VerifiedInsightsPK, we believe this incident must become a turning point. Karachi cannot afford to move on without accountability. Fire safety laws must be enforced in real terms, not only on paper. Old and overcrowded buildings must be audited, emergency systems must be upgraded, and lives must be protected before profit. Every lost life at Gul Plaza demands responsibility, reform, and action.

Gul Plaza should never be forgotten. It should remain a reminder of what happens when safety is ignored and warnings are delayed. Only by learning from this tragedy can Karachi hope to prevent another one.