KARACHI: A fire broke out suddenly in a 16-storey building near the nursery stop on Karachi’s main artery Sharea Faisal, on Saturday night, injuring one person.
Officials confirmed that more than 12 fire tenders and two snorkels were at the scene of the fire, while several water tankers and two water bowsers were on hand to meet the demand for water.
According to an eyewitness at the scene of the fire, some people are on the eighth floor of the building, known as Portway Trade Center, which is right next to a petrol pump. The structure houses several offices, as indicated by fire department officials.
The fire — which fire tenders declared a third-degree fire — broke out in a billboard on top of the building and then engulfed the entire building, according to sources.
According to the Chief Fire Officer, the fire has been brought under control and efforts are on to enter the building by firefighters.
Law enforcement officials including police and rangers are present at the spot to maintain law and order. Officials said that a petrol pump adjacent to the building along the Quaidin Bridge Highway has also been closed.
Fire officials confirmed that the fire on the lower floors of the building has been brought down, adding that efforts are underway to extinguish the fire on the upper floors with the help of snorkels.
According to Karachi Water Board officials, water tankers from Nipa and Safora hydrants have been dispatched to the spot of fire.
First, three fire brigade vehicles reached the spot and tried to douse the fire.
However, due to the severity of the fire, additional firefighting vehicles were called in from across the city to assist in the firefighting operation on the upper floors of the building.
