Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi has completed the investigation report into the deadly Gul Plaza fire and will submit it to Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, sources told Geo News. The report confirms that 79 people lost their lives in one of Karachi’s worst fire tragedies in over a decade.
According to sources, the inquiry committee — comprising the Karachi commissioner and the Additional Inspector General of Police — finalised the report on Wednesday. The document outlines the cause of the fire, response of the fire brigade, rescue and relief operations, and includes statements from victims, eyewitnesses, and rescue officials.
The massive fire erupted at 10:15pm on January 17 at the multi-storey shopping complex, which housed around 1,200 family-run shops dealing in wedding wear, toys, crockery, and other goods. The fire brigade received the emergency call at 10:26pm, and the first fire tender reached the site within 11 minutes at 10:37pm. The Deputy Commissioner South arrived at 10:30pm, while Rescue 1122 teams reached at 10:53pm.
Investigators determined that the fire originated from a flower shop on the ground floor, reportedly due to a child’s actions. The flames quickly spread through the building via air-conditioning ducts, engulfing multiple floors. Most of the fatalities occurred on the mezzanine floor, the report revealed.
The search and rescue operation concluded after 10 days of continuous efforts, following which the damaged shopping centre was sealed on Tuesday.
An FIR was registered at Nabi Bux Police Station, citing charges related to negligence and carelessness. Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar stated that while concerns of sabotage or terrorism had been raised, no conclusion had yet been reached. He added that anti-terrorism clauses would be included in the case if sufficient evidence emerged.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah announced that the remaining structure of Gul Plaza would be demolished, and assured that shops would be rebuilt at the site within two years.