KARACHI:Two persons were killed while seven others received burn injuries when a fire erupted in Noor Trade Centre building in Gulshan-e-Iqbal area of the metropolis on Thursday.
According to SSP Ghulam Azfar Mahesar, the fire erupted on the fourth and fifth floors of the centre near Hassan Square on Karachi’s University Road. As a result, five people, including a woman, received burn injuries, while two others were also injured as they jumped out of the building; however, two of them succumbed to their injuries at hospital, 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.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar, while taking notice of the building blaze, directed official to take immediate steps for evacuate people from the building. The CM directed the administration to increase manpower and fire fighting vehicles to conduct rescue operation fully. The management of Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) has imposed an emergency in Safora and Nipsa hydrants. KWSB Managing Director said that water-filled tankers were immediately dispatched to the blaze site.
According to fire brigade officials, several people trapped inside the building. Four fire tenders were sent to the site for the rescue operation. Fire brigade officials further said fire was brought under control after three hours efforts.
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.