KARACHI – The investigative committee, comprising the Commissioner Karachi and the Additional Inspector General (AIG) of Police, has finalized the investigative report on the Gul Plaza fire tragedy. The findings are set to be presented to Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah. The comprehensive report details the origin of the fire, the rescue operation’s timeline, and the primary causes of the high death toll.
The investigation reveals that the fire originated in a flower shop on the ground floor, accidentally ignited by a child. The flames spread rapidly through the building’s air conditioning ducts, leading to a swift escalation of the blaze. A total of 79 fatalities have been confirmed, with the report highlighting that the majority of these deaths occurred on the mezzanine floor of the plaza.
According to the established timeline, the fire first broke out at 10:15 PM. The Deputy Commissioner (South) arrived at the scene by 10:30 PM, while the first fire tender reached Gul Plaza to begin firefighting efforts at 10:37 PM.
The report incorporates testimonies from survivors, eyewitness accounts, and detailed briefings from rescue officials. It highlights critical gaps in fire safety and provides a technical breakdown of how the smoke and flames traveled through the structure. Commissioner Karachi is expected to submit the formal document to the Chief Minister’s Office this week for further legal and administrative action.
