KARACHI (Kashmir English): A sudden fire broke out at a cloth factory in Landhi’s Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in Karachi on Monday, collapsing part of a factory building.
According to the fire brigade officials, the fire has spread to two adjacent factories, and the efforts to extinguish the blaze are underway.
The fire engulfed the second building from the first floor, fire brigade officials added.
Rescue officials said that the fire has been declared third-degree and that 16 fire tenders, water bowsers, and snorkels from Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and Rescue 1122 are busy controlling the fire.
The officials said that no casualties have been reported so far. However, a few reports alleged that the health of three people deteriorated due to the smoke, but all the people were evacuated from the factory.
Earlier, the fire brigade officials said that the operation was facing difficulties due to heavy smoke at the site. “A large amount of used cloth stored inside the building is also complicating the firefighting effort.”
The rescue officials have said that the cause of the fire is not yet known and that there is no worker present in the factory at the moment.
Meanwhile, the Sindh Rangers spokesperson said that Rangers personnel immediately reached the site as soon as the incident was reported and are participating in the rescue operation.
The official said that personnel are engaged in rescue activities along with the fire brigade and rescue teams. “The priority of the Rangers is to protect human lives and prevent the fire from spreading further.”
On the other hand, the Chief Minister of Sindh, Murad Ali Shah, took notice of the incident and has directed the concerned authorities to take immediate steps.
The Chief Minister of Sindh has also directed that more fire brigade vehicles and necessary rescue equipment be immediately sent to the scene.
