n a recurring pattern, Karachi continues to grapple with an alarming surge in fatal fires. Commercial, residential and industrial structures bear the brunt, highlighting a pressing need for enhanced fire safety measures in the metropolis.

In a concerning trend, recent fire incidents in Karachi have exposed a lacuna in fire prevention and firefighting measures in numerous structures, rendering them susceptible to widespread outbreaks.

The gravity of the situation was tragically highlighted by a fire at RJ Mall on Rashid Minhas Road, claiming 11 lives and causing several injuries.

The alarming pattern highlights a pressing need for improved fire safety measures across Karachi to prevent further loss of life and property. Authorities are urged to address these deficiencies promptly to safeguard the city’s residents and infrastructure from future fire-related tragedies.

The landscape is rapidly changing with an increase in concrete structures and high-rise buildings in Karachi, one of the most densely populated cities in the country. Unplanned expansion comes with a concerning downside; the hazard of urban fires.

A majority of construction companies in the city seem to overlook crucial fire prevention measures and essential safety protocols, thus aggravating the threat posed by potential fires. An absence of rigorous monitoring and regulatory checks exacerbates the situation, leading many builders to install seemingly ineffective fire protection systems to ensure monominal compliance with “legal formalities.”

In an interview with The News on Sunday, Hassaan Ul Haseeb, Deputy Commander of Sindh Emergency Rescue Service, says there were 417 reported fire incidents last year, making it one of the worst in the last five or six years. “The RJ Mall incident was the most horrendous on account of technical issues,” he says.

Despite the passage of several years, the crucial Building Code Fire Safety Prevention guideline, developed in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority, remains largely unimplemented.

The neglect by the Sindh Building Control Authority and other regulatory bodies has put the lives of hundreds of residents at risk due to the absence of safety protection systems in various buildings across the city.

Hassaan shares a startling statistic: “90 per cent of Karachi’s buildings lack approved and credible fire protection systems, raising the risk of intense fires and endangering lives.”

“In the latest meeting, our department requested the Sindh chief minister and the mayor for the approval of building infrastructure and plans, addressing concerns about fire safety equipment.”

“We also submitted a proposal to the Sindh Building Control Authority to approve the building NOC with their department also regarding the fire protection measures for enhanced safety,” Hassan added.

Highlighting proactive measures, Hassan says, “Our department is actively providing specialised training to police officers and citizens, equipping them to save lives in critical situations.”

“We have extended our training efforts to various companies, institutions and organisations to raise awareness about fire safety,” he says.

Acknowledging the challenges faced by the growing population of Karachi, Hassan notes, “The Fire Department encounters many difficulties in reaching the incident sites promptly due to increasing traffic issues. Traffic congestion on main roads often leads to delayed response times.”

Hassan says, “The main issue is not a lack of fire protection equipment; it is human resources.”

In some areas of the city, he says, inadequate infrastructure hinders firefighters’ efforts to reach fire scenes promptly.

Firefighters often have to navigate through narrow streets and congested roads. They are undeterred by the perils that could jeopardise their lives. The absence of crucial protective gear, particularly fire-resistant suits, poses a constant challenge.

Tanvir Ahmed, actively involved in rescue operations, says that equipment shortage is a significant handicap in their efforts to serve the city’s 20 million population.

“The lack of fire-resistant suits, gas masks, gloves, shoes, helmets and other essential equipment often leads to loss of lives, injuries and various diseases that firefighters have sufer in the long run,” he says.

Tanvir tells TNS that fire protection codes are too often disregarded in Karachi. “Many buildings do not adhere to fire protection codes, resulting in some failing to protect lives due to the absence of emergency exits,” he says.

Tanvir says that only about five percent of the buildings in Karachi are fullu compliant with the prescribed fire protection safety systems. “A majority neglect these measures due to a lack of awareness and resources, creating a pressing need for increased attention to fire safety protocols in the city.”

Karachi Metropolitan Corporation Fire Department’s fire safety audit report, submitted to Mayor Murtaza Wahab, talks of a critical lack of safety measures in the city’s buildings. Out of the 266 buildings scrutinised, only six had functioning fire extinguishers.

The safety audit also brought to light the fact that 62 percent of the buildings lacked emergency exits and 70 percent had substandard electrical wiring. 90 per cent of the buildings surveyed were without essential fire alarms and smoke detectors.

The author is a freelance contributor. He can be reached at arslanshahzad882 @gmail.com