Factory fire in Karachi destroys raw materials but leaves no injuries

A significant fire engulfed a factory within the Export Processing Zone in Karachi, Pakistan, on the night of April 10, 2025. The incident occurred at the Sungraver factory located in the Landhi Industrial Area Extension. Rescue 1122 officials reported that the fire erupted while the factory was unoccupied, resulting in no injuries to workers or bystanders. Authorities suspect that an electrical short circuit may have triggered the blaze, which quickly spread due to the presence of combustible materials like plastic, cardboard, and thread rolls. Firefighters deployed five fire tenders and two water bowsers to combat the flames, which emitted thick smoke into the night sky. Though the fire was largely contained, smoke continued to billow as emergency teams worked diligently to further extinguish the remnants of the blaze. As officials assessed the situation, Malir Senior Superintendent of Police, Kashif Abbasi, and Deputy Commissioner Saleemullah Odho visited the factory site. They placed emphasis on the need for enhanced safety measures within such industrial units, especially following the frequent occurrence of fire-related incidents in Karachi attributed to a lack of fire safety standards. In prior statements, Abbasi confirmed that there were no casualties or injuries reported during this incident, as the absence of personnel inside the factory at the time significantly mitigated risks. The historical challenges surrounding fire safety in Karachi are evident; earlier this year, a fire in a commercial building led to multiple casualties, highlighting ongoing concerns about inadequate safety protocols across various establishments. Reports submitted to the Sindh High Court indicated that a fire safety audit of over 265 commercial buildings revealed a staggering lack of compliance with safety regulations: not a single building possessed a fire safety certificate or a no-objection certificate from the fire department. The results of these audits raised alarms about the safety of structures within the city, with many failing to meet essential requirements for fire alarms that can detect dangers early. Overall, the incident at the Sungraver factory underscores the dangerous environment that continues to prevail in many of Karachi's industrial sites, as calls for improved safety measures have grown increasingly urgent in light of past incidents and the current fire outbreak.