Landhi Factory Fire Remains Unextinguished After 31 Hours

Authorities reported that a major conflagration that ignited at a factory within the Landhi Export Processing Zone early Sunday morning was still not fully extinguished as of Monday, after more than 31 hours.

According to the Fire Brigade, the blaze intensified rapidly due to the presence of chemicals and strong winds, which led to it engulfing a nearby clothing warehouse and a plastics manufacturing facility.

Fire brigade personnel indicated that they had managed to bring the fire under 70% control, and they were optimistic that complete extinguishment would occur shortly.

Fire Officer Arif Mansoori detailed that a dozen fire brigade vehicles were actively involved in battling the inferno. He noted that flames persisted in multiple areas across all three factories, with firefighters engaged in ongoing efforts to quell the blaze.

He further stated that while the fire’s spread had been successfully halted, preventing it from reaching adjacent areas, the cooling down process was anticipated to require several more hours. Mansoori also confirmed that significant quantities of valuable goods had been destroyed as a result of the incident.

One of the factories sustained complete destruction, while another was deemed structurally unsound. The origin of the fire is currently undetermined.

At least five firefighters sustained injuries while working to extinguish the intense flames.

Over 20 fire-tenders are on-site, participating in the firefighting efforts.

Rescue 1122 representatives stated that the fire started at the factory in the Landhi Export Processing Zone in the early morning hours and rapidly extended to three neighboring factories because of the presence of flammable substances.

Rescue officials further noted that at least five firefighters were hurt when a section of the affected structure collapsed, leading to the declaration of a “third degree” fire.

The rescue team indicated that the injured Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) firefighters were immediately transported to a medical facility. One of the injured individuals was reported to be in critical condition.

Officials also added that the factory contained a stock of clothing, chemicals, and other commodities, but the cause of the fire is still being investigated.

The emergency service department conveyed that they were alerted to the fire at 4:50 AM.

The fire-affected buildings have been officially declared unsafe.

The chief operating officer of the emergency service communicated to the press that the rescue operation was hampered by thick smoke and a lack of sufficient water supply.

In the preceding month, a fire at a garments factory near Murtaza Chowrangi in Landhi resulted in the destruction of millions of rupees worth of inventory.

The blaze initiated abruptly in a multi-story factory, rapidly escalating and prompting an immediate response from law enforcement and rescue teams.

Firefighters utilized smoke injectors to ventilate the premises and eliminate hazardous fumes. After approximately three hours of sustained effort, the fire was brought under control.