On Wednesday night, tragedy struck in the industrial area of New Karachi when a towel and spare parts manufacturing factory went up in flames, resulting in four firefighters losing their lives and 13 others sustaining injuries. Despite the cooling process having been initiated, the buildings collapsed as a result of extensive damage caused by the inferno. The fire was so intense that it took a dozen fire tenders and six bowers from across the city, along with nine hours of hard work, to bring it under control. The deceased firefighters were identified as Mohsin, Afzal, Sohail, and Khalid Shehzad, and their bodies were later recovered from the debris. In response to the tragedy, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori contacted Karachi Administrator Saifur Rehman and ordered immediate medical assistance for the injured. This incident occurred exactly a month after a multi-storey building on Karachi’s main artery Sharea Faisal went up in flames. The Chief Fire Officer, Ishtiaq Ahmed, reported that many offices were located in the commercial building, and a panaflex on the building caught fire due to a short circuit, which engulfed the entire building. Luckily, no loss of life was reported as the building was empty. Unfortunately, not all fires have such a fortunate outcome. In 2012, Pakistan’s deadliest industrial fire occurred in the Baldia town area of the commercial capital, Karachi. The Ali Enterprises factory was set ablaze, resulting in the death of approximately 260 people. The fire was deemed an act of organized terrorism and was caused by two men affiliated with the MQM party, who were in power in the city at the time. The two men set the garment factory on fire as its owners had not paid extortion money. Prosecutors took evidence from more than 400 witnesses and found the men guilty of arson. Many of the victims were charred beyond recognition, and others died or broke bones trying to jump to safety. The blaze began in the afternoon and raged for 15 hours. More than 24 hours after the inferno began, rescuers were still struggling to reach the dead and injured inside. About 500 workers were inside the factory when the fire broke out, and many were trapped inside the building, which had no fire exits. These incidents highlight the importance of fire safety and preparedness in industrial areas. Proper training and equipment are crucial for firefighters to handle such emergencies effectively. Business owners must also take responsibility for the safety of their workers by ensuring that their facilities comply with all safety regulations and have appropriate fire exits. Furthermore, government authorities must enforce regulations and punish those who violate them to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. In conclusion, the New Karachi factory fire and the Baldia town factory fire are tragic reminders of the importance of fire safety and preparedness. The loss of lives and injuries sustained in such incidents is unacceptable, and it is the responsibility of all stakeholders to take steps to prevent such occurrences.
