In the wake of a tragic incident that unfolded at RJ Shopping Mall on Rashid Minhas Road early Saturday morning, a case has been formally registered, shedding light on a series of concerning issues surrounding the devastating fire that claimed 11 lives.
The First Information Report (FIR) filed at Shah Faisal Police Station has pointed accusatory fingers at various entities involved in the construction and upkeep of the ill-fated shopping mall. Shockingly, the fire, which began at 5 am, quickly consumed the entire structure, leaving panicked individuals within to navigate staircases and an electric lift in desperate attempts to escape the inferno.
Tragically, some patrons sustained severe burn injuries, and a number of them succumbed to the severity of their wounds during treatment at different hospitals.
The FIR has brought to attention a glaring absence of firefighting equipment within the mall premises, further complicating the challenges faced by emergency responders. Preliminary investigations strongly suggest that a short circuit may have triggered the devastating fire.
The defendants in this case include the mall builders, accused of employing substandard materials, alleged approval of flawed maps, issuance of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) despite safety concerns, and the current management of the shopping complex.
Furthermore, both electric and fire brigade services are under scrutiny for their purported failure to fulfill their responsibilities during the crisis.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities are delving into the approval process of the mall’s construction plans, the protocols behind granting firefighting clearances, and potential collusion involving Karachi Electric (KE) and other relevant agencies.
The ongoing examination seeks to uncover potential violations of building regulations, the use of substandard materials, and overall negligence that contributed to the tragic loss of lives.
