Karachi is Pakistan’s largest city. It is full of life, business, and people struggling to earn a living. But over the years, Karachi has also become a city of repeated market fire tragedies. Markets, malls, and commercial buildings have caught fire again and again. Each time, lives were lost, businesses were destroyed, and families were left with pain.

This article is a documented timeline of major fires in Karachi. It shows when they happened, where they happened, and what they revealed about safety failures. This is not just history. This is a warning.

VerifiedInsightsPK presents the Karachi market fire record, so people do not forget.

Gul Plaza Fire – Second Time

January 17–18, 2026

The Gul Plaza fire of January 2026 was one of the deadliest commercial building fires in Karachi’s recent history. The fire broke out late at night, at approximately 10:15, and continued for more than 24 hours. Firefighters struggled to control it due to extreme heat, poor ventilation, and flammable material inside the building.

At least 26 people lost their lives, including a firefighter. while dozens were reported missing. Large parts of the building collapsed during rescue efforts. Families waited outside for days, hoping their loved ones would be found alive.

The most shocking part was that Gul Plaza had no proper emergency exits, no fire extinguishers, and no safety system. This was not the first Gul Plaza Karachi market fire, which makes the tragedy even more painful.

This fire exposed serious failures on the part of building owners and authorities.

Clifton Shopping Centre Fire

February 18, 2025

Clifton Shopping Centre, located in one of Karachi’s busiest areas, caught fire in February 2025. The fire spread quickly through multiple floors. Thick smoke filled the building, making evacuation difficult.

Although there were no confirmed mass casualties, the fire caused heavy damage to shops and offices. On the other hand,  Many shopkeepers lost their entire stock. Investigations later showed weak fire safety arrangements and poor maintenance.

This incident showed that even upscale areas of Karachi are not safe from fire disasters.

Millennium Mall Fire

June 2025

Millennium Mall, one of Karachi’s popular shopping destinations, caught fire in June 2025. The blaze started during business hours, causing panic among shoppers and staff.

However, People rushed to exits, and some were trapped by smoke. Firefighters managed to control the fire before a major collapse, but the damage was extensive. Several shops were destroyed.

The mall was later sealed for inspection. Reports pointed to electrical faults and a lack of proper fire control systems.

This fire reminded the city how dangerous crowded malls can become within minutes.

Rimpa Plaza Fires

Multiple Incidents – 2024

Rimpa Plaza is one of Karachi’s oldest shopping centres. In 2024, it suffered multiple fire incidents within the same year. Each fire raised questions, but little action followed.

Most fires were linked to old wiring, illegal extensions, and poor building conditions. Traders repeatedly complained about safety risks, but inspections were weak.

Repeated fires at the same location show how warnings are ignored until a major disaster happens.

Empress / Nauman Plaza Fire

December 2024

In December 2024, a fire broke out at Empress Plaza, also known as Nauman Plaza. The fire spread across several floors, damaging shops selling clothes, cosmetics, and electronics.

Firefighters faced difficulty entering the building due to blocked passages and a lack of ventilation. Thankfully, the fire occurred late at night, reducing loss of life.

Still, the incident highlighted how old buildings continue to operate without safety upgrades.

Furniture Market Fire, Gulistan-e-Johar

December 2024

Later in December 2024, a massive fire broke out in the Furniture Market of Gulistan-e-Johar. The market was filled with wood, foam, and polish, which made the fire spread very fast.

Even though dozens of shops were reduced to ashes. Many small business owners lost their only source of income. Firefighters took hours to control the blaze.

The fire showed how high-risk materials are stored without any fire planning.

RJ Shopping Mall Fire

November 25, 2023

RJ Shopping Mall caught fire in November 2023. The blaze caused panic among shoppers and staff. Smoke-filled stairways and emergency exits were hard to find.

Although casualties were limited, the damage was severe. Investigations again pointed to electrical short circuits and poor safety enforcement.

However, the pattern was becoming clear: fires keep happening, but lessons are not learned.

Hafeez Centre Fires

Before 2022

Hafeez Centre in Lahore is well known, but Karachi has similar commercial hubs with repeated fire issues. However, Hafeez Centre experienced multiple fires before 2022, becoming a national example of negligence.

However, these fires showed how electronics markets are extremely vulnerable due to heavy wiring loads and a lack of fire control systems.

Even after rebuilding, safety concerns remained.

Co-operative Karachi Market Fire

2022

The Co-operative Market fire in 2022 destroyed many shops in Karachi’s Saddar area. The fire started in the early hours and spread quickly.

Even at that time, Shopkeepers reported no fire alarms and no emergency response inside the market. Losses ran into millions of rupees.

This fire deeply affected small traders who had no insurance or support.

Chase Up Departmental Store Fire

June 1, 2022

In June 2022, a fire broke out at Chase Up, a popular departmental store. The store was packed with customers at the time.

The fire caused chaos, but many were rescued. However, the incident raised serious concerns about fire exits in large retail stores.

However, Authorities promised inspections, but little changed afterwards.

Chawla Market Fire

October 10, 2021

The Chawla Market fire in 2021 damaged several shops. The fire spread due to flammable goods and narrow lanes.

Unfortunately, fire engines struggled to reach the site because of congestion. Again, this time, the traders also blamed poor city planning and a lack of access routes.

This fire showed how urban crowding worsens emergencies.

Gul Plaza Fire – First Time

August 2016

Gul Plaza caught fire for the first time in August 2016. Even back then, reports mentioned a lack of safety systems and illegal construction.

Despite this, ten years later, the same building burned again, but this time with far greater loss of life.

This shows that warnings were ignored for years.

What These Fires Tell Us

All these incidents point to the same problems:

• Old buildings operating without upgrades
•  No emergency exits
• No fire extinguishers
•  Poor electrical systems
•  Weak inspections
• No accountability

Fires are not accidents when they keep happening.

What VerifiedInsightsPK Believes

At VerifiedInsightsPK, we believe Karachi is not unlucky. Karachi is unsafe because safety is not treated as a priority.

However, every fire listed above could have been prevented. Every life lost could have been saved with proper planning, strict inspections, and honest enforcement of laws.

We believe:

• Fire safety audits must be mandatory
• Old buildings must be sealed or upgraded
• Emergency exits must be enforced
• Traders must be educated on safety
• Officials must be held accountable

Karachi does not need sympathy. It needs action.

Final Words

Karachi has burned many times. Each fire leaves scars on the city and its people. Yet after every tragedy, life moves on, and lessons are forgotten.

• This article is a reminder.
•  A record of the Karachi market fire.
• And a warning.

However, if we forget Gul Plaza, Rimpa Plaza, Millennium Mall, and all the others, then another building will burn. Another family will wait outside the rubble. Another firefighter will risk their life.

Karachi deserves better.
Lives deserve protection.

VerifiedInsightsPK will continue to document, question, and speak—so these tragedies are never erased.