Karachi, Pakistan: A devastating fire broke out early Wednesday morning at the Millennium Mall on Rashid Minhas Road in Karachi, reducing over 250 shops to ashes and causing millions of rupees in financial losses, according to rescue officials.
Emergency response teams fought the flames for several hours before managing to bring the fire under control. By then, the multi-story commercial complex had suffered extensive structural and economic damage.
Cause Linked to Electrical Fault
The fire reportedly erupted around 4:06 AM, originating on the third floor of the building. According to Rescue 1122 Incharge Hassan, a short circuit in the mall’s Control and Surveillance Room triggered a minor explosion, which quickly escalated into a full-blown blaze.
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“We received the alert early and responded immediately,” Hassan said. “A security guard on duty informed us of the initial explosion.”
Investigations are underway, but early findings indicate serious negligence on the part of the mall’s management.
No Active Firefighting System
Firefighting efforts were severely hindered by the mall’s non-functional fire suppression systems. Hassan confirmed that the building’s firefighting infrastructure was inactive and highlighted additional critical safety violations.
“There was no proper fire exit. The entire mall had only one operational entry and exit, which made both evacuation and firefighting extremely difficult,” he said.
He further noted that the boilers and chillers on the upper floors were in dangerous condition, and the presence of chemical materials stored there intensified the blaze.
Financial and Human Impact
Though no fatalities were immediately reported, the financial toll has been significant. Dozens of small business owners are believed to have lost their entire inventories, and many have called for government assistance.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as thick plumes of smoke engulfed the building. “We watched helplessly as everything burned,” said one local shopkeeper.
Authorities have yet to issue an official estimate, but business groups suggest that tens of millions of rupees worth of goods were destroyed.
Safety Oversight Under Scrutiny
The incident has prompted renewed scrutiny of building safety standards in one of Pakistan’s largest commercial cities. Karachi has seen multiple high-profile fires in recent years, often linked to poor enforcement of fire safety regulations.
Civil society groups and urban planning experts have long warned of the consequences of lax oversight in public commercial infrastructure.
A formal inquiry has been launched to determine liability and whether legal action will be taken against the management of Millennium Mall.
