KARACHI: A fire that erupted in a multi-story building in the port city has been brought under control after hours of intense firefighting efforts, confirmed Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Humayun Khan on Tuesday.

The operation involved 11 fire tenders, two snorkels, and rescue teams from the Pakistan Navy and Rescue 1122. Following the successful containment of the blaze, MA Jinnah Road has been reopened for traffic, according to Khan.

Local residents reported that the fire initially started in a flat on the first floor before spreading to upper floors. They criticized the delayed arrival of fire brigade and rescue teams, which compelled them to evacuate and attempt to control the flames themselves.

Fire brigade officials called for additional fire tenders and used foam to tackle the blaze. All occupants of the building were safely evacuated. To facilitate the operation, firefighters broke the building’s glass panels for better access. To ensure a steady water supply, an emergency was declared at the NIPA hydrant, as confirmed by a Water Corporation spokesperson.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took notice of the incident, ordering immediate action to extinguish the fire and directing the Karachi Commissioner to submit a detailed report. He also instructed the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) and relevant authorities to inspect high-rise buildings for fire safety compliance to avoid such incidents in the future.

Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjhar emphasized the need for accountability, calling for additional police support and a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire. He urged the findings to be made public without delay.

This is not the first fire incident at Rimpa Plaza. In May last year, a blaze erupted on the building’s seventh floor, reportedly in a spare parts warehouse. While no casualties were reported, the incident raised concerns about the building’s fire safety measures.