Nearby installations safe as massive fire near Korangi Crossing continues raging

A mysterious fire incident near the Korangi Crossing caused panic in the area on Saturday. Reportedly triggered by a suspected gas leak, the blaze raised several questions, leaving the authorities struggling for answers. An expert said that the current firefighting strategy — allowing the fire to burn rather than suppressing it — is the correct approach.

At around 12:40am a sudden fire broke out at an empty plot near the Korangi Crossing during boring. Within moments the flames intensified, soaring high into the sky. Upon receiving the alert, a single fire engine was initially dispatched, but due to the fire’s intensity, additional fire engines from across the city were called in.

The fire was declared a third-degree emergency. Teams from Rescue 1122, the fire brigade and the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC), as well as a heavy contingent of police officials arrived at the scene.

District Korangi police chief SSP Tariq Nawaz said investigations are under way to determine whether a gas pipeline runs through the affected site. However, no concrete details have emerged yet. He admitted that controlling the fire has been challenging, as it continues to reignite despite efforts to douse it with water.

Senior fire officer Muhammad Zafar described the blaze as “mysterious”, saying that the origin of the fire remains unclear. “Water is being sprayed, but the flames keep coming back, making the situation more complex.”

Initial reports suggest that boring was being carried out by a private society, reaching a depth of 1,200 feet. During the process, first water emerged, followed by high-pressure gas, which then ignited.

The authorities immediately summoned SSGC officials to assess the situation and devise a firefighting strategy. Zafar also suggested that the flames might need to be smothered with soil rather than extinguished with water. He proposed using a dumper or even a helicopter to drop soil over the fire to suppress it.

However, the SSGC spokesperson clarified that the company has no installation near the Korangi Crossing. There is no gas pipeline around the fire site as well, said the spokesperson.

A senior fire expert, former chief fire officer, and member of the Institution of Fire Engineers, UK, said that all the relevant companies and agencies have confirmed the absence of any pipeline or network at the site.

“This suggests that the gas being released is likely trapped in an underground pocket. One possible explanation is biogas formation, as mangroves once existed in the area, along with sludge from oil handling facilities.”

The expert emphasised that extinguishing the fire can be dangerous, as it might allow potentially toxic or flammable gases to spread, posing a serious risk to the surrounding areas and emergency responders. The released gases may include hydrogen sulphide, natural gas or biogas. Hydrogen sulphide is highly toxic, and even brief exposure can be fatal.

Regarding precautionary measures, he advised against extinguishing the fire, saying that such fires should be allowed to burn out naturally. “Install a windsock to monitor wind direction and ensure emergency personnel remain upwind. Establish a 90-metre exclusion zone, ensuring no ignition sources or personnel are present within this area. Additionally, contain the site with soil barriers at a 90-metre distance to prevent the spread of any potential liquid leakage.”

The expert said that the current firefighting strategy — allowing the fire to burn rather than suppressing it — is the correct approach. If the trapped gas supply is limited, the fire will likely extinguish itself within three to four days, but if the gas source is extensive, oil companies may need to intervene for well control, he added.

The Karachi Water & Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) declared an emergency at the Landhi hydrant to ensure an uninterrupted water supply. “The hydrants incharge is in constant contact with the fire brigade and rescue teams to maintain the persistent supply of water,” confirmed a KWSC spokesperson.

Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori took immediate notice of the fire, contacting Karachi Commissioner Syed Hasan Naqvi over the phone. He directed the commissioner to ensure all possible firefighting efforts, including the provision of a helicopter if needed.

Rescue officials confirmed that no casualties have been reported. However, machinery and a truck at the boring site were completely burned. A few hours into the fire, efforts to control the flames using cranesand dumpers began.

Fire fighters resorted to dumping sand onto the burning area after failing to extinguish it with water. Fire officials remain uncertain about when the fire would be fully contained.

Eleven fire engines from the Military Lands & Cantonment (ML&C), Karachi Region, also participated in the firefighting operation led by Director Tanveer Ashraf, who emphasised the importance of prompt coordination during such emergencies.

“Our primary concern was ensuring the safety of both the workers and surrounding residents. Our teams worked tirelessly to control the fire, and I’m proud of their swift action,” said Ashraf.

Along with additional teams from the Korangi, Clifton, Malir and Faisal cantonment boards, they rushed to the scene to contain the fire. Their quick action played a crucial role in preventing further damage.

Korangi Cantonment CEO Faisal Wattoo remained on site overnight to personally supervise the ongoing operation and ensure that all efforts were directed effectively. Teams from the SSGC and the Pakistan Refinery were also dispatched to inspect the area, confirming that no pipelines belonging to either organisation were affected by the fire.

In addition to the local fire brigades, senior technical staff from the ML&C assessed the situation closely. Faisal Cantonment CEO Haider Sial, with Chief Engineer Abid Shah, was also on site, ensuring all safety protocols were in place.

‘No need to panic’

Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi and Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab held a joint press conference regarding the dangerous fire in Korangi on Saturday, adds our correspondent.

They said the blaze broke out at 2:15am.

Upon the arrival of the fire brigade and other emergency teams, it was discovered that the fire had ignited underground on an empty plot. The situation worsened when gas mixed with the fire, causing further flames to erupt.

The fire has affected an area of approximately 100 metres, and flames are still visible. However, no residential settlements are in the affected area, and all the relevant agencies are working together to bring the situation under control.

Pakistan Refinery Managing Director Zahid Mir said that an oil refinery is located near the fire site. He explained that the blaze was due to shallow gas in the area, where similar incidents have occurred.

According to him, this type of gas usually burns out within one to three weeks and needs to be monitored closely for a few days. He made the assurance that the entire area has been secured, and that the situation is expected to stabilise soon.

Wahab urged people to remain calm, saying that technical teams are chemically identifying the gas, and that there is no need for panic. He reassured the public that no infrastructure has been damaged, and that the authorities are closely monitoring the situation since the fire broke out. He emphasised the need to identify the gas source, and dismissed any claims of failure in handling the situation.

The mayor, who was personally present at the site, confirmed that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s fire brigade is actively working to control the fire, with eight fire engines deployed. He also advised the media to exercise caution, and requested people to avoid unnecessary movement in the affected area for safety reasons.