KARACHI: At least four firemen were killed and several others were injured when factory damaged in fire earlier in day in Karachi collapsed on Wednesday night. According to details, building collapsed when firefighters and rescue teams were busy in relief and rescue work after extinguishing blaze in factory. Several firefighters and civilians were buried under rubble.

Rescue teams retrieved four dead bodies of firemen from debris and pulled out 13 persons in injured condition. Deceased were identified as Mohsin, Afzal, Muhammad Sohail and Khalid. Firebrigade official Arif Mansoori said all 13 injured were also firefighters. Wounded were indentifed as Nadeem, Arif, Abbas, Abdul Hakeem, Amanullah, Rehan, Abdullah Baig, Nadeem son of Hashim, Muhammad Riaz, Shoaib, Ijaz Kazim, Arif son of Ali Muhammad and Raheem.

Bodies were moved to Edhi Centre Sohrab Goth from where they were handed over to heirs of deceased for burial. Rescue sources said that all deceased were firefighters who were busy in cooling process. Injured included 11 firefighters and two civilians. Rescue operation is ongoing till filing of this report. Fire broke out in industrial unit in New Karachi Gabol Town on Wednesday morning which later spread to four factories. An army of firefighters backed by fire engines and snorkels were involved in operation to control fire for over 24 hours now but in vain.

Gabol Town Police said that fire erupted in Usman and Sons Bedsheet Company in Sector-16-B on Shehla Raza Road. Area SHO Saqlain said blaze had erupted in multi-storey building of factory.

Published in The Daily National Courier, April, 14 2023

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