KARACHI: Traders and residents have blamed a delayed government response and limited firefighting resources for the scale of devastation caused by the massive fire at Gul Plaza, saying the blaze could have been contained earlier had authorities acted promptly.
The fire erupted late Saturday night at the commercial plaza on M.A. Jinnah Road and continued for hours before a full-scale firefighting operation was launched early Sunday. By then, large parts of the building had been engulfed, causing extensive damage and loss of life.
Shopkeepers and eyewitnesses told Dawn that timely action by the nearby Saddar Fire Station and other civic bodies might have prevented the fire from spreading. One trader pointed out that the fire station is located only minutes away from the site, yet adequate resources were not deployed during the critical early hours.
Several residents and traders said they were informed on Saturday night that there was a shortage of water, which hampered firefighting efforts. They added that narrow and poorly maintained stretches of M.A. Jinnah Road made it difficult for multiple water bowsers to access the site simultaneously.
Criticism was also directed at the Sindh government and the Karachi mayor, with affected individuals questioning the absence of senior officials during the initial stages of the crisis. Traders said the lack of coordination and preparedness compounded the disaster.
“Had the operation begun properly when the fire broke out, much of the damage could have been avoided,” said a shopkeeper surveying the rubble. Others echoed similar concerns, saying that an effective rescue effort might have saved lives and businesses. Many traders stressed that the destroyed shops represented the sole source of income for thousands of families.
By Sunday morning, the Saddar area was enveloped in grief and uncertainty. The usually crowded commercial hub appeared deserted, with charred debris replacing bustling marketplaces. Rescue workers, relatives of victims, and traders gathered near the site, some searching for missing loved ones while others struggled to come to terms with the loss of their livelihoods.
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The intensity of the fire caused parts of the building to collapse, leaving behind what many described as a “burning skeleton.” Hundreds of shops were destroyed, wiping out years of investment within hours.
Attention has also turned to the building’s ageing structure and design. Gul Plaza, constructed decades ago, housed tightly packed shops, storage areas, and combustible materials such as fabric, plastic, and cardboard. Traders said congested passages and substandard electrical wiring created conditions that allowed the fire to spread rapidly.
People criticised the Sindh government and the Karachi mayor, questioning where the mayor and provincial ministers were during the crisis. https://t.co/fETzI0gJgK
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) January 19, 2026
While investigations into the cause of the fire continue, affected traders say the incident underscores longstanding concerns about fire safety, enforcement of building regulations, and emergency preparedness in Karachi’s older commercial centres.
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