Muhammad Imran, 56, a surviving crockery shop owner, watches the massive fire that broke out at Gul Plaza shopping mall in Karachi on January 23. Photo: Reuters
KARACHI:
The final report of the investigation into the Gul Plaza fire, in which 79 people died, was prepared by a committee comprising Karachi Commissioner Syed Hasan Naqvi and Additional Inspector General Javed Alam Odho, officials said on Wednesday.
The report, which will be submitted to Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, includes details about the cause of the fire, firefighting and rescue operations, and statements from victims, eyewitnesses and emergency personnel.
According to the report, the fire occurred at 10:15 p.m. in a flower shop on the ground floor, where children were present. It spread rapidly through air conditioning ducts and most deaths occurred on the mezzanine.
The first alert from the firefighters was received at 10:26 p.m. and the first fire patrol arrived at 10:37 p.m. Deputy Commissioner South Javed Nabi Khoso reached the spot at 10:30 p.m., while Rescue 1122 personnel arrived at 10:53 p.m.
Separately, a joint investigation is underway between the Sindh police forensic unit and the Punjab Urban Search and Rescue Force (USAR).
Experts are using ARSEN technology to collect samples from parts of the building that were saved from the fire.
Read: FIR caught over deadly Gul Plaza fire; structural safety review underway
Authorities said the investigation will determine the point of origin of the fire, the cause of its ignition and the reasons for its rapid spread in the large building.
Lahore technical team visited Gul Plaza
A technical team from Lahore visited Gul Plaza to conduct investigations. Police and district administration officials accompanied the investigation team, which included forensic experts, during inspections of various locations within the square.
Markings were made at locations where the search process had been completed, the urban search team said. According to the team, the letter “H” was marked at several points, indicating danger and risk of the building collapsing.
Read more: Death toll from Gul Plaza fire rises to 73, with 23 victims identified so far
Political disputes
Political tensions in Karachi have deepened after chalks appeared on walls in several neighborhoods calling for the city to be placed under federal or military control, following the deadly Gul Plaza fire and a sharp war of words between the MQM-P and the ruling PPP in Sindh.
Reading mottos “Karachi ko wafaq ke hawalay karo” (Hand over Karachi to the federation) and “Karachi ko fauj ke hawalay karo” (Hand over Karachi to the military) were seen in areas like Liaquatabad, North Nazimabad and Haidery Market.
The messages were reportedly written by unidentified people late Monday night and into the early hours of Tuesday. Videos of the chalk-painted wall circulated widely on social media.
Also read: Karachi walls demand federal and military control as tensions rise after Gul Plaza fire
One of the survivors of the Gul Plaza fire said she was grateful to have escaped, but noted that similar tragedies had happened before. “I thank God that I was lucky enough to escape the fire, but this is not the first time this has happened – fire at Baldia factory, Bolton Market, Cooperative Market, RJ Mall,” he said.
talking to The express PAkGazetteHe questioned the lack of accountability. “Tell me who was held responsible in previous cases, and even now. What will the federal government do if Karachi is handed over to them?” she said. “Karachi and its people have always been alone in seeking help (apni madad app). I think it is better to make Karachi independent and give it provincial status.”
