KARACHI: Two people died when a sudden fire erupted in Noor Trade Centre building in Gulshan-e-Iqbal area of the metropolis on Thursday.
According to SSP Ghulam Azfar Mahesar, fire erupted on the fourth and fifth floors of the high-rise near Hassan Square on Karachi’s University Road. As a result, two people received burn injuries while two others were also injured as they jumped out of the building, SSP said.
Executive Director of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Seemi Jamali, confirmed that the body of a 35-year-old man was brought to the JPMC. She said that three persons, who were affected by smoke, had been released after initial medical treatment. The police official said several other people stranded in the building. He said one of the deceased was identified as Jehanzeb, while the injured includes Naeem, Mujahid, Usman, Noman and Imran.
The police official said several other people stranded in the building and rescue operation was still underway. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar took notice of the building ablaze and directed the concerned authorities to take immediate steps for safely evacuating people from the building.
Shah further directed the administration to increase manpower and fire fighting vehicles to conduct the rescue operation. The management of Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) imposed emergency in Safora and Nipsa hydrants. KWSB managing director said that water-filled tankers were immediately being dispatched to the blaze site.
According to fire brigade officials, several people are feared trapped inside the building. Four fire tenders have been sent to the site for the rescue operation. Fire brigade official further said fire was brought under control and cooling process was underway. The injured were shifted to Civil Hospital Karachi for treatment.
Helicopters of the Pakistan Navy also took part in the rescue operation and constantly flied over the affected building. The trapped persons were evacuated safely through helicopters, the Pakistan Navy spokesperson said. Meanwhile, the flow of traffic from Hassan Square to NIPA Chowrangi was affected. Traffic was diverted from Hassan Square to Essa Nagri and to Rashid Minhas Road from NIPA Chowrangi.
