he recent surge in fire incidents across Karachi has raised critical questions about the city’s infrastructure, governance and safety protocols.

Karachi is grappling with a severe fire safety crisis, exacerbated by a lack of adequate planning and resources. The absence of sufficient fire protection systems in residential, commercial and industrial buildings has led to an alarming increase in fires.

The city’s infrastructure has not kept pace with its burgeoning population and economic activity. The limited capacity of institutions like the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) Fire Department has proven insufficient to address the extensive and growing fire safety needs of the city. When a fire breaks out, the response is often delayed and inadequate. This puts many lives at risk.

Frequency

In recent years, the city has seen a spike in the frequency of disastrous fires, some causing irreparable damage. Major fires recently occurred in markets, huts, industries, shopping malls, government buildings and residential areas. Karachi, like many other cities, has gone through a process of rapid urbanisation and population growth. This has placed a significant burden on infrastructure, safety regulators and firefighting capabilities and increased the risk of fires.

Major catastrophes

One of the most tragic fire incidents in Karachi was the Baldia factory fire on September 11, 2012. It is considered to have been the most deadly industrial factory fire in Pakistan’s history. It killed 289 people and seriously injured more than 600.

A more recent incident was the Pakistan Stock Exchange building fire that occurred on July 6, 2024. The fire, caused by an electric short circuit, started at the fourth floor and quickly spread to other levels.

Some citizens said that in 12 years, not much had changed despite the hundreds of fires reported in Karachi. City officials claimed, however, that regulatory authorities had increased their inspections and conducted safety audits of high-rise buildings in the city. They said these had been instrumental in keeping the number of disastrous fires down.

There have been other fire incidents in Karachi as well: the Shara-i-Faisal fire, the Agha Steel Industries fire, the Chase Up fire and the Karachi University fire, among them. These events resulted in the identification of certain shortcomings in fire safety infrastructure and have led to an emphasis on stricter fire safety measures and better enforcement.

The causes

Poor and faulty electrical wiring, overcrowded settlements and unregulated construction, unsafe industrial processes and use of inflammable materials in low-income housing all contribute to fire incidents in Karachi.

In May 2021, a fire broke out in a building in the Azam Basti area of Karachi. It was caused by an electric short circuit. In December 2020, a fire broke out in the Sachal Goth area, which is one of Karachi’s biggest informal settlements. The fire spread quickly due to the narrow lanes and caused extensive damage.

Karachi is grappling with a severe fire safety crisis, exacerbated by a lack of adequate planning and resources. The absence of sufficient fire protection systems in residential, commercial and industrial buildings has led to an alarming increase in fires.

In January 2021, a fire broke out in a factory in the Korangi Industrial Area.

In March 2021, a fire broke out in a settlement in the city’s Baldia Town area. It was caused by a gas cylinder explosion.

Urban planning and fire safety

Urban planning plays a critical role in ensuring fire safety in urban areas. Implementing fire-safe building codes and regulations, addressing challenges in informal settlements and integrating fire safety into city planning and infrastructure development are essential approaches that enhance fire safety.

The building codes and regulations enforced by the Sindh Building Control Authority are an essential aspect of urban planning aimed at ensuring fire safety. These codes provide guidelines for the construction of buildings, ensuring the use of fire-resistant materials, installation of fire alarms and the inclusion of fire safety equipment. Proper implementation and enforcement of these building codes can lead to significant improvements in fire safety within urban areas.

Informal settlements and densely populated areas lacking proper infrastructure and services make it more challenging to implement fire safety measures effectively. The integration of fire safety measures in city planning and infrastructure development is crucial to ensure comprehensive protection against fire hazards. This includes the development of fire-safe building codes, construction of wide enough roads and access to water sources for firefighters. Such measures require the cooperation of all stakeholders, including builders, architects, city planners and local governments.

Critical gaps

There are several critical gaps in fire safety infrastructure that pose significant risk in the event of a fire incident. One such challenge is the lack of fire hydrants and access points in congested areas and inadequate fire stations and firefighting equipment.

Additionally, firefighters’ response is often delayed by traffic congestion and poor road networks. The road network in Karachi has many signal-free corridors. This leads to severe traffic congestion in some areas during peak hours. Poor roads and traffic congestion make it difficult for fire rescue teams to reach an incident site quickly.

Lack of public awareness campaigns on fire prevention and educating communities on handling flammable materials and emergency procedures is also important. There is a need for more fire drills, training in schools, workplaces and residential areas of Karachi.

Are fire safety regulations effective?

There seems to be a gap between the fire safety regulations and on-ground enforcement. There is a noticeable lack of alertness from authorities, which leads to uncertainty on whether building owners and occupants are complying with the regulations.

Improving fire safety

Recommendations for improved fire safety include strategies for improving infrastructure, enhancing awareness and response, evaluating building stock and enhancing regulatory compliance.

Moreover, better collaboration between the government, community and private sectors is vital. One of the significant recommendations is improving the infrastructure by investing in modern firefighting equipment, upgrading and expanding fire stations and installing and maintaining firefighting equipment. The government should implement strict regulations and enforcement mechanisms to ensure strict adherence to fire safety regulations. The communities must be engaged and educated to ensure compliance with fire safety regulations.

The contributor is a Karachi-based urban planner and geographer