KARACHI: The investigative report into the deadly Gul Plaza shopping centre fire has been finalised by Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi and will be submitted to Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, sources told Geo News on Wednesday, revealing that 79 people lost their lives in the tragedy.

According to the sources, the inquiry committee comprised the Karachi commissioner and an additional inspector general of police. The report outlines the causes of the fire, the response of the fire brigade, rescue and relief operations, and includes statements from victims, eyewitnesses and rescue officials.

The blaze, described as Karachi’s largest fire in more than a decade, erupted on January 17 at around 10:15pm in the sprawling Gul Plaza shopping complex, which housed around 1,200 family-owned shops selling wedding clothes, toys, crockery and other goods.

The fire brigade was informed at 10:26pm, while the first fire tender reached the site within 11 minutes at 10:37pm. The deputy commissioner of Karachi South arrived at 10:30pm, and Rescue 1122 personnel reached the scene at 10:53pm, the report noted.

Investigators concluded that the fire originated at a flower shop on the ground floor, allegedly caused by a child, and rapidly spread to other parts of the building through air-conditioning ducts. Most of the fatalities occurred on the mezzanine floor, according to the findings.

Meanwhile, the search operation concluded after 10 days of rescue and relief efforts, and the gutted shopping centre was sealed on Tuesday.

An FIR was later registered at the Nabi Bux Police Station under sections related to negligence and carelessness. Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar said concerns of sabotage or terrorism had been raised, but added that anti-terror provisions would only be included if supported by evidence.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has announced that shops will be rebuilt at the site within two years, adding that the remaining structure of Gul Plaza will be demolished.