KARACHI: A massive fire broke out at a garments factory in the New Karachi Industrial Area on Thursday, leading to the collapse of the building and spreading to an adjacent thread-manufacturing unit owned by the same proprietor. Firefighters rushed to the scene and battled flames that engulfed both floors of the second factory.
Provincial Minister for Industries and Commerce Jam Ikramullah Dharejo took notice of the incident and directed the managing director of SITE Limited to conduct an inquiry. He stressed that factory owners must ensure the safety of workers and property, warning of strict legal action against those failing to implement fire safety measures. The minister said protection of workers’ lives must remain the top priority and ordered immediate medical aid for the injured.
Two vehicles parked inside the premises were burnt, while several firefighters sustained injuries. Witnesses reported a loud explosion that forced people in the vicinity to abandon their vehicles and take cover, as only rescue officials were allowed into the cordoned-off site. Officials confirmed no workers were present in the factory at the time, though construction work was ongoing at an adjacent site.
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According to rescue official Farooq Kathora, 10 to 15 fire tenders were deployed while six to seven injured rescue workers were shifted to hospital in ambulances. “The fire has spread to other buildings and owing to the rubble it is difficult to get through,” he said. Chief Fire Officer Humayun Khan added that the blaze erupted around 7:20am but no civilians or factory staff had been harmed. Surrounding units were shut down to prevent further damage.
The industrial area has witnessed similar incidents in the past. In January 2022, a blaze at a towel factory near Saba Cinema destroyed goods but caused no casualties, while in December 2017 another towel factory in the area was gutted in a massive fire suspected to have been triggered by an electrical short-circuit.
