36-Hour Inferno Leaves Shopping Centre in Ruins
The devastating fire at Gul Plaza Shopping Centre on MA Jinnah Road, Karachi, has claimed at least 14 lives, including a firefighter, as rescue operations entered their third day on Monday, January 20, 2026. Despite firefighters bringing the main blaze under control after approximately 36 hours of continuous efforts, flames continue to emerge from smouldering debris, with authorities warning that the building is now extremely unstable and could collapse at any time.
The fire broke out late Saturday night around 10:00 PM. It quickly engulfed the multi-storey commercial complex, which houses more than 1,000 shops. The blaze spread from the mezzanine floor to the ground and upper levels. Witnesses also reported explosions inside the building as the inferno tore through the shopping centre.
Delayed Response Hampers Rescue Efforts
According to rescue officials, the first fire tender reached the scene at 10:27 PM, nearly an hour after the fire erupted. Traders have sharply criticized the delayed response, blaming inadequate government resources and emergency preparedness for allowing the fire to reach catastrophic proportions. Fire brigade vehicles reportedly took extended time to arrive, during which the flames spread uncontrollably through the densely packed commercial building.
Chief Fire Officer Humayun Ahmed said firefighters extinguished the main blaze by Monday afternoon. Crews have now begun cooling operations. However, flames remain visible on the ground and second floors at the rear of the building. These conditions continue to pose serious risks for rescue workers searching for survivors and recovering bodies.
Dozens Still Missing, Families Desperate
DIG South Asad Raza revealed that police obtained mobile numbers of 59 missing people and traced the locations of at least 26 near Gul Plaza through cellular tracking. “Further scrutiny is underway,” he said, adding that a police helpline had been established on orders from the Sindh government to assist families searching for loved ones.
“Among the missing is 24-year-old Arif, an employee at a shop within the plaza. His family told media they last spoke to him at 1:00 AM during the night between Saturday and Sunday, shortly after the fire began. Like dozens of other families, they have been pleading for information and assistance as rescue operations continue.”
The Citizens-Police Liaison Committee has set up a help desk with dedicated phone lines to provide information about missing persons. However, the chaotic scene and structural instability of the building have hampered systematic search and recovery operations.
Victims Identified, Dozens Injured
Rescue authorities have identified several victims, including Kashif, son of Younis, 40; Faraz, son of Abrar, 55; Mohammad Aamir, 30; and Furqan, son of Shaukat Ali, 25. Additional bodies have been recovered but remain unidentified as rescue workers carefully navigate the dangerous debris.
Around 30 people sustained injuries, suffering from smoke inhalation or burns. Two firefighters, Irshad and Bilal, sustained injuries during the operation and are currently receiving treatment at PNS Shifa. Medical teams transferred patients to the burns centre, trauma centre, and Jinnah Hospital, while several others received first aid and were discharged.
However, the condition of 11 injured individuals remains critical.
Dr. Sabir Memon, Executive Director of the trauma centre at Civil Hospital Karachi, said that rescue teams brought three bodies to the hospital on Sunday morning. As firefighters moved deeper into the burned structure, the death toll continued to rise.
Official Response and Trader Protests
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah visited the site on Sunday, confirming that relief would be provided to affected families and pledging support for small traders who suffered devastating losses. Medical teams transferred patients to the burns centre, trauma centre, and Jinnah Hospital, while others received first aid before discharge.
However, traders expressed anger at what they perceived as delayed official response. When Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab finally visited the site, frustrated traders attempted to breach the gates of the Deputy Commissioner’s office, prompting authorities to deploy additional security personnel. The Mayor reprimanded relevant officials for lapses in the emergency response and called in market representatives to discuss relief measures.
The President of the All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajiran Sindh, Javed Qureshi, announced a three-day mourning period following the devastating human and financial losses. He appealed to federal and provincial governments to show generosity in their response and expressed deep grief over the firefighter who lost his life during rescue operations.