Secure university departments; Makeshift shelters near the fire scene were evacuated as a precaution, officials say.
University of Karachi. Photo: Archive
A fire that broke out in the bushes behind Karachi University on Tuesday afternoon rapidly intensified before being brought under control after several hours of extinguishment. One person died of asphyxiation during the incident, rescue officials said.
According to Rescue 1122, the fire broke out near Gulshan Noor Apartments, behind the university. Fire and rescue teams, along with ambulances and firefighters, arrived at the scene and began extinguishing the fire. Dry weather and strong winds caused the flames to spread rapidly across the open area, while smoke entered nearby residential buildings, creating difficulties for residents.
Some staff quarters suffered partial damage and the fire also affected areas near a nearby cemetery. The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) Fire Brigade dispatched additional vehicles, including nine fire vehicles and three water tankers, to control the fire from multiple directions. Cooling operations continued late into the night to prevent reignition due to winds.
During a search operation after containing the fire, rescuers recovered the body of a 51-year-old man, identified as Muhammad Rafiq, who had died of asphyxiation. His body was shifted to a hospital with the help of Chhipa volunteers for necessary legal procedures.
A security adviser at the University of Karachi said all departments remained safe. Firefighters confirmed that several makeshift shelters near the affected bushes were evacuated as a precaution.
In another incident, a fire broke out at a scrapyard near Bhai Jan Chowk in Sector 33-C of Korangi. The 1122 rescue teams arrived at the scene and managed to control the fire after a sustained effort. Various types of stored materials were destroyed, while the cause of the fire and estimated losses have not yet been determined.
