Major fire engulfs garment factory warehouse in Karachi’s SITE area

A major fire broke out at a garment factory warehouse near Metroville in Karachi’s SITE area on Monday, prompting an extensive firefighting operation involving multiple fire tenders and rescue teams.

Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) Chief Fire Officer Humayun Khan said firefighters found the blaze intense upon reaching the site. The operation is being carried out with 11 fire tenders, two water bowsers and a snorkel vehicle.

Khan said the warehouse contained large quantities of combustible materials, including cardboard, wood, thread, garments, foam and plastic. These materials, stored on the upper floors, have made it difficult for firefighters to bring the blaze under control.

He said the fire had been classified as a third-degree emergency to ensure the immediate deployment of resources and the involvement of relevant departments. Firefighters are working to contain the flames before beginning cooling operations.

Officials also warned that parts of the building and its boundary wall had become structurally unsafe due to the intensity of the fire. Fire brigade personnel said teams were tackling the blaze from both inside and outside the building. The fire had spread to the second and third floors, while a shortage of water was creating additional difficulties.

Rescue 1122 said its Central Command and Control Centre received information about the incident at around 3pm. A fire and rescue team, a fire engine and an ambulance were dispatched to the location. More than five fire tenders from Rescue 1122 and the KMC Fire Brigade subsequently joined the operation.

Officials said the fire originated in a warehouse on an upper floor of the factory, located at Plot No. A-14. They also disclosed that a fire had occurred at the same location a few days earlier.

The cause of the latest blaze, the extent of the damage and any possible casualties had not been confirmed at the time of reporting.