By Ahsan Mughal
KARACHI: A fire broke out on the fifth floor of a shopping mall on Karachi’s bustling MA Jinnah Road on Saturday, triggering a rapid response from the city’s fire services. Officials said three fire tenders were immediately dispatched to the scene, and the blaze was brought under control before it could spread to other parts of the building or neighboring shops.
Early assessments by the fire department suggested that the fire originated in the outdoor unit of an air-conditioning system located on the balcony of the affected floor. Firefighters were reportedly able to contain the flames quickly, preventing what could have been a far more serious incident in one of the city’s busiest commercial areas.
Authorities confirmed that no casualties were reported, and shoppers and employees in the mall were safely evacuated during the operation. The fire prompted a temporary closure of sections of MA Jinnah Road, causing minor traffic disruptions as emergency services worked to secure the area.
An investigation was launched to determine the precise cause of the incident, with officials examining whether faulty wiring, overheating, or another technical fault had triggered the blaze. Fire department spokespersons emphasized the importance of regular maintenance of electrical and cooling systems in commercial buildings, noting that incidents of this nature, while relatively rare, could escalate quickly if not addressed promptly.
