Karachi Factory Fire Injures Eight, Destroys Building

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KARACHI – A major fire erupted on Tuesday evening in a garment factory located in the Landhi Export Processing Zone, injuring at least eight people and causing significant damage to the facility. Authorities say the incident has once again raised concerns over workplace safety protocols in industrial units across the city.

According to rescue officials, the blaze began in the basement of the four-storey factory and quickly spread through the building. The factory, operational since 1980 and spanning nearly 4,000 square yards, contained large stocks of fabric and other flammable materials. Thick smoke and intense flames forced an emergency evacuation as workers and nearby business owners watched the incident unfold.

Nine fire tenders were dispatched to the scene, and firefighters battled the blaze for several hours before bringing it under control. “The fire spread rapidly due to stored cloth and other combustible items,” a Karachi Fire Brigade official said, noting that the building’s firefighting equipment was non-functional at the time of the incident.

Eight individuals sustained injuries, including burns and smoke inhalation, and were transported to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) and Civil Hospital Karachi for treatment. Officials confirmed that all injured workers are in stable condition.

Yusra Ali, a spokesperson for the Export Processing Zone Authority, stated that the fire originated in the basement, but the exact cause remains under investigation. “We will work closely with the fire department to determine what went wrong and ensure proper safety inspections,” she said.

Humayun Khan, representing the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, expressed concern over the lack of enforcement of safety regulations in industrial zones. “Incidents like this could be prevented if mandatory safety audits were carried out regularly,” he noted.

Karachi Metropolitan Corporation Senior Director of Fire and Rescue Services, AD Khawaja, confirmed that two adjacent factories were also affected by the fire, though the damage there was minimal. He added that blocked emergency exits and the absence of functional alarms significantly hampered evacuation efforts.

The incident has prompted renewed calls from industrial bodies and labour rights groups for stricter compliance with workplace safety laws. Authorities have sealed the damaged factory while a joint investigation is underway to determine responsibility and prevent future occurrences.