KARACHI – A massive fire broke out at Millennium Mall on Rashid Minhas Road in the early hours of Wednesday, causing widespread panic and significant property damage. The blaze reportedly started on the roof of the multi-storey shopping complex and quickly spread downward, reaching the fourth and third floors, both of which house garment shops.
Chief Fire Officer Humayun Khan confirmed that the fire began on the rooftop and rapidly engulfed the commercial sections of the mall. “The flames moved swiftly from the roof to lower floors due to the presence of flammable materials in the shops,” he said.
Eleven fire brigade vehicles and two snorkels were dispatched to the scene immediately. However, the operation faced hurdles due to a shortage of water. Despite the difficulties, firefighters managed to control the blaze after battling it for four and a half hours.
Shops and Offices Damaged, No Injuries Reported
According to rescue officials, the roof and third floor sustained the most damage. Several shops and offices were badly affected by the flames. The fire also reached the second and first floors, but its intensity remained low there, minimizing damage.
Fortunately, no injuries or casualties were reported. Residents of a nearby residential building were safely evacuated during the operation. Officials confirmed that the residential structure remained unharmed despite its proximity to the blaze.
A resident who witnessed the chaos unfold said, “The smoke was so thick it became hard to breathe. We were told to evacuate immediately. Thankfully, everyone is safe.”
Another Fire Incident Earlier This Month
This incident comes just weeks after a similar blaze erupted in a factory located in the Landhi Export Processing Zone. That fire, which broke out in the early hours of the day, quickly spread and engulfed three surrounding factories due to highly combustible materials stored at the site.
That earlier incident was declared a “third-degree” fire—among the most severe in classification. Several firefighters were injured when a part of the building collapsed during the operation. The injured KMC firemen were rushed to the hospital for treatment.
Authorities have raised concerns over the increasing frequency of fire incidents across Karachi, particularly in commercial and industrial areas where safety measures are often found lacking.
Need for Fire Safety Reforms
Incidents like the Millennium Mall blaze and the Landhi factory fire highlight the urgent need for stricter enforcement of fire safety protocols in Karachi’s commercial zones. Experts argue that many buildings in the city either lack proper firefighting equipment or fail to maintain emergency exit routes.
While no lives were lost in Wednesday’s fire, the damage to property and the risk posed to nearby residents once again raise pressing questions about building codes, fire safety audits, and emergency preparedness in Pakistan’s largest city.
The city administration has yet to issue an official statement regarding any investigation into the cause of the fire or potential negligence by mall management.