Pakistani authorities are investigating a fire that broke out at Karachi’s Gul Plaza, suspecting that drug addicts attempting to steal copper from the basement may have triggered the incident. The fire, occurring nearly two months after a previous deadly blaze at the same location, is believed to have been started by individuals trying to pilfer wires and other materials. One person, identified as a drug addict, was found unconscious in the basement, with reports indicating that the fire may have ignited while the suspects were extracting copper by burning wires found in the debris.
Following the incident, Acting Deputy Commissioner South, Amir Fazal Owaisi, mentioned that the police and fire teams encountered several individuals inside the building upon their arrival, suggesting they had entered to steal items. The injured man, who was trapped in the flames, was taken to Civil Hospital for medical treatment, while his accomplices managed to escape. The President of Gul Plaza Mall Management Committee criticized the delayed response of rescue services during the previous fire incident, stating that the rescue efforts were slow and insufficient, leading to public outrage and criticism of the government and local authorities for their handling of the situation.
