A massive fire broke out at Glass Tower, a well-known shopping center near Teen Talwar in Clifton, Karachi, early Tuesday morning, causing significant losses to traders. More than 35 shops were completely gutted, while 80 others were affected, leaving shopkeepers in distress.
How the Fire Started at Glass Tower
According to firefighters, the blaze began on the first floor of the shopping center, which houses 165 shops, mostly selling clothes and bed sheets. Due to the highly flammable materials, the flames spread rapidly. Shopkeepers rushed to save their merchandise, carrying out stock on a self-help basis to minimize losses.
Twelve fire brigade vehicles arrived at the scene and worked tirelessly for two hours to control the fire. Firefighters managed to stop the flames from reaching the upper floors, preventing further damage. The building was fully evacuated, and K-Electric suspended power to the tower to reduce risks.
Thankfully, no casualties were reported, but a firefighter and a shopkeeper fell ill due to smoke inhalation and were shifted to the hospital. However, traders are devastated as they have suffered huge financial losses.
Chief Fire Officer Humayun Khan stated that the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation. The traders are now demanding compensation from the government, as many have lost their entire stock due to this unfortunate incident.
The Glass Tower fire has once again highlighted fire safety concerns in Karachi’s shopping centers. Traders are urging authorities to take necessary fire prevention measures to avoid such incidents in the future.
