The initial investigation report into the Gul Plaza tragedy has revealed a shocking and disturbing detail: the deadly fire that claimed over 75 lives was reportedly triggered by a child inside a flower shop on the ground floor.
Media reports stated that the findings are part of a comprehensive inquiry conducted by a high-level committee and will soon be submitted to the Sindh Chief Minister.
According to the investigation report, the committee was formed under the leadership of the Commissioner Karachi and Additional Inspector General (IG).
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The report examines the causes of the fire, the response of firefighting and rescue teams, and the sequence of events during the tragedy.
It also includes testimonies from victims, eyewitnesses, and rescue officials who were present at the scene.
The report states that the fire broke out at Gul Plaza at around 10:15 pm. Authorities were informed about the incident at 10:26 pm, and the first fire tender reached the site at 10:37 pm, within 11 minutes of the alert.
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The Deputy Commissioner South arrived at the scene at approximately 10:30 pm, while Rescue 1122 personnel reached the building at 10:53 pm.
Investigators reportedly found that the fire started in a flower shop located on the ground floor of the building.
From there, the flames spread rapidly through air-conditioning ducts and internal passages, turning the commercial plaza into a deadly trap for the people inside.
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The report highlights that most casualties occurred on the mezzanine floor, where smoke and heat intensified within minutes, leaving people with little chance to escape.
Tragically, the death toll from the Gul Plaza fire has reached 79 people, making it one of the deadliest fire incidents in Karachi’s recent history.
The report suggests that structural vulnerabilities, inadequate fire safety systems, and the rapid spread of flames played a major role in the high number of casualties.
