Karachi high-rise fire death toll rises to two after gas blast

WEB DESK: The death toll from a gas-related explosion that ignited a fire in a multi-storey residential building in North Nazimabad has climbed to two after a woman succumbed to her injuries during treatment on Sunday, rescue officials confirmed.

The explosion took place in a 10th-floor flat in Block E near Hyderi and was caused by a gas leak, authorities said. Rescuers earlier recovered the body of a teenage boy, identified as 15- or 16-year-old Burhan, from the debris. Three other injured individuals remain under medical care.

Deputy Commissioner Central Taha Saleem had initially reported five injuries, with three people said to be in critical condition. Officials said investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause and circumstances of the blast.

The force of the explosion damaged multiple apartments on the 10th floor and affected the roof of a ninth-floor flat. The building’s lift system was also severely impacted, with officials saying the elevator collapsed due to the blast.

Residents evacuated as firefighting, probe continue

The fire spread across parts of the 10th floor, prompting authorities to evacuate the entire building. Rescue teams confirmed that all residents were safely moved out to facilitate emergency operations.

Four fire tenders, a water bowser and two snorkel units were deployed to contain the blaze, while electricity supply to the building was suspended as a precaution. The chief fire officer said three people, including a woman and a child, were rescued during the operation. After hours of firefighting, the blaze was brought under control and cooling work began.

SSP Central Dr Muhammad Imran Khan, who visited the site, said initial findings suggested a gas cylinder explosion. Gas cylinders were recovered from the affected flat, and the bomb disposal squad has been tasked with determining the precise nature of the blast.

Debris falling from the upper floors damaged several parked vehicles. Rescue officials later confirmed that search operations had concluded and debris removal was underway. Teams from the Sindh Building Control Authority are expected to assess the building’s structural safety.

The incident adds to a series of recent fires and explosions reported across Karachi, raising fresh concerns over safety standards in residential buildings.

Soldier Bazaar gas blast

Earlier this week, a deadly gas explosion in the Soldier Bazaar area underscored similar safety concerns. A residential building in Gul Rana Colony collapsed after a blast believed to have been caused by a gas leak, killing at least 15 people and injuring another 15. Police arrested the building’s owner, Mohammad Irshad, and registered a case on behalf of the state, citing charges including culpable homicide, negligence and unsafe construction.

Investigators said the structure, built around 2007-08, had allegedly been constructed illegally using temporary materials, while gas connections were reportedly installed through plastic pipes in a hazardous manner. Preliminary findings suggested that accumulated gas inside a first-floor apartment ignited when a stove was lit for sehri, triggering the explosion. The Bomb Disposal Squad confirmed that a faulty gas pipeline caused the leak. Authorities said negligence and illegal construction practices were key factors in the collapse.