Karachi: Two women died Saturday night, and nine more people broke out in a four-story building in the National Defense Housing Administration, rescuing nine women.
Rescue-1122 spokesman Hassaan UL Haseeb Khan told dawn The fire broke out in the car showroom located on the ground floor of the third stage residential and armed building and spread rapidly to other floors.
He said six fire bids rushed to the scene and managed to control the fire. However, the cooling work continued until late at night.
With the help of the ladder, firefighters broke the windows, rescued eight residents including women and three workers in the showroom and moved them to the Jinnah Graduate Medical Center (JPMC) and the Burns Center in Karachi, Ruth Pfau Dr Ruth PFAU Civil Hospital, the official said.
Dig-South Syed Asad Raza tells dawn The two women were identified as Syeda Shahzain Afzal, 43, and her mother-in-law Syeda Sabiha Khatoon, who was 70 years old during JPMC treatment.
Officials said two women living in the same building died of suffocation.
The injured included Syed Afaq Ali, his wife Rafia and their three children – Shanza, Savera and Abeeha. It is said that their condition is dangerous.
A spokesperson for Rescue 1122 said that the possible cause of the fire was short circuit.
Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah took note of the incident and ordered an investigation. He also directed the authorities to ensure strict implementation of fire safety arrangements in buildings.
Posted in Dawn on September 28, 2025
