KARACHI — A devastating fire ripped through a candle warehouse in Karachi’s Shershah area on Wednesday, leaving a trail of destruction that consumed more than 25 houses and several motorcycles parked nearby.
Witnesses described scenes of panic and chaos as the blaze, fueled by oil drums and other flammable materials, spread rapidly through the congested neighborhood. The fire quickly engulfed nearby clothing and scrap warehouses, turning the entire block into an inferno within minutes.
Officials said that a leakage from a Sui gas line made the flames even more intense, complicating firefighting efforts. The area’s narrow streets prevented fire trucks from reaching the site directly, forcing firefighters to battle the blaze from a distance as thick black smoke blanketed the locality.
Residents of Shershah voiced anger and frustration, saying that the losses could have been significantly reduced had the fire brigade arrived sooner. “By the time the first fire tender reached, everything was already burning,” said one local resident, standing amid the charred remains of his home.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took notice of the incident, directing the city administration to control the situation and relocate affected families to safe areas immediately. In a statement from his office, the Chief Minister ordered a detailed inquiry into the cause of the fire and instructed officials to ensure medical assistance for the injured.
This tragic blaze marks Karachi’s second major fire incident in a single day. Earlier, four children were injured when a house caught fire in Baldia Town’s Kachhelo Goth area. Police later said a drug-addicted neighbor had deliberately set the house on fire before fleeing the scene. He was later apprehended and shifted to the hospital.
The city has witnessed a troubling rise in fire-related disasters in recent months. Just last month, a garments factory in New Karachi’s Industrial Area collapsed after being engulfed in flames, injuring several people including firefighters and a cameraman.
Wednesday’s fire once again underscores Karachi’s ongoing struggle with poor industrial safety standards, delayed emergency responses, and a lack of enforcement in densely populated neighborhoods issues that continue to put countless lives and livelihoods at risk.
