New Delhi: A devastating fire swept through Gul Plaza which is a multi-storey shopping mall on Karachi’s busy MA Jinnah Road. The incident took place late on Saturday night killing at least six people including a firefighter and triggering frantic rescue efforts that stretched into Sunday. As flames and thick smoke engulfed the building, fears grew that several people may still be trapped inside more than 12 hours after the blaze first broke out as rescue operations continued into Sunday.
The officials said the fire erupted around 10.45 pm, a time when most shopkeepers were closing their stores or had already left. The thick smoke quickly engulfed the building, turning a routine night into a frantic rescue effort in one of the city’s most crowded commercial areas.
Rescue efforts continue amid chaos
1122 rescue officials said around 20 people were pulled out of the mall and rushed to nearby hospitals. Firefighters and rescue workers faced severe challenges due to the mall’s complex structure, which includes a basement, mezzanine floor and hundreds of tightly packed shops.
The rescue officials said further operations would intensify once cooling activities were completed. However, the dense smoke, limited visibility and unstable structure significantly slowed progress.
Today’s fire at Gul Plaza in Karachi has once again starkly revealed the bitter truth that this city is not plagued by accidents, but by persistent neglect. Flames soared high, fear spread, the earnings of hard labor turned to ashes in 1 night. 🇵🇰🔥💔🥺#GulPlazaFire #GulPlaza pic.twitter.com/QfvO5NHLAZ
— Dr Naina Niazi 🧚♀️ (@nainaaniiazi) January 18, 2026
Television footage showed flames shooting out of windows and balconies as thick black smoke rose into the night sky visible from several blocks away. Dozens of fire engines were deployed using ladders, hoses and water cannons to reach the upper floors.
Officials said the fire spread rapidly after igniting in areas where shopkeepers had stored imported garments, clothing and plastic household items which acted as fuel. Around 40 snorkels were pressed into service and by Sunday afternoon authorities said nearly 60 per cent of the fire had been brought under control.
The blaze caused extensive structural damage. The rescue teams reported cracks in the building’s walls while one side of the mall reportedly collapsed, raising fears about the safety of personnel working inside.
Many still trapped
Sindh Labour and Social Protection Minister Saeed Ghani warned that several people could still be trapped particularly on the first and mezzanine floors which rescue teams have not yet been able to access.
The police officials said a short circuit was suspected as the cause of the fire, though the exact reason will be confirmed after a detailed investigation. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has ordered an inquiry and directed the Karachi commissioner to submit a report.