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A fire that started during borehole excavation in Karachi’s Korangi Creek has been burning for six days, with no immediate solution in sight, while the necessary expertise and equipment to extinguish the fire are not available in Pakistan, as per the commissioner Karachi’s statement to Dawn News.
According to Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab, experts from Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) and Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) have collected soil samples from the site for testing. He told Dawn that their report would be submitted to provincial and city authorities soon.
Although the fire remains contained in one area, its intensity has not reduced. Authorities are waiting for the flames to subside before attempting to put them out.
Commissioner Karachi, Syed Hassan Naqvi, stated that officials are following a “wait and see” approach based on expert recommendations.
He explained, “We are waiting for the gas to be consumed as the experts say that such fires normally come to an end after the underground gas reserve is exhausted.”
READ: Fire near Karachi oil refinery continues to rage for over 12 hours
On the other hand, the Express Tribune reported that the associate professor at Karachi University’s Department of Geology, Dr Adnan Khan, linked the fire to methane gas trapped underground.
He cited 56 years of oil and gas exploration data, indicating methane and possibly coal deposits in the area. Dr. Khan explained that the fire was likely triggered by high temperatures during drilling, which released the flammable gas.
Experts warn that the gas concentration at the site exceeds 15 percent, posing serious risks. Methane gas mixed with air can be highly explosive, making it necessary to take urgent precautions.
Dr. Khan also highlighted that Korangi Creek’s 25-million-year-old rock formations contain natural water reserves and hydrocarbons.
A 2020 Chinese study identified gas and coal layers in the area, further supporting the possibility of underground resources. However, geological faults and fractures in the area allow gas to escape to the surface, leading to the ongoing fire.
He warned that the fire could continue burning for weeks, emitting carbon dioxide and other harmful gases, which could pose health risks to nearby residents. Authorities remain on high alert as they monitor the situation closely.
