A massive fire broke out at warehouses storing old tyres in Karachi’s Baldia Moach Goth area, and it continues to rage. The blaze, which erupted earlier in the day, has now been burning for over nine hours. According to Chief Fire Officer Humayun Khan, more than 13 fire tenders from Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and Rescue 1122 are engaged in the operation. A snorkel was brought to the site nearly six hours after the fire began.
Firefighters face significant challenges due to dry and windy conditions. Strong winds are spreading the flames rapidly, making it difficult to control the blaze. Khan stated that the fire could take up to 18 to 20 hours to be fully extinguished. Despite the ongoing battle, no casualties have been reported so far. Firefighting teams are working from multiple directions to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby structures.
Initially, the firefighting operation was hampered by a shortage of water. However, the Karachi Water Board and SITE Association stepped in to ensure a steady supply of water tankers to the site. This support has eased the firefighters’ efforts and improved the operation’s effectiveness. Officials expect that the cooling operations may continue until Friday morning or evening, depending on the fire’s intensity and weather conditions.
The affected warehouse spans nearly five acres and was used for storing and cutting old tyres. Deputy Mayor Karachi, Salman Abdullah Murad, confirmed that firefighters reached the scene promptly and began working immediately. Deputy Commissioner Keamari, Tariq Chandio, assured that the situation was being closely monitored and that the water supply issues had been resolved, allowing the firefighting efforts to continue smoothly.
Rescue officials confirmed that gusty winds are complicating the situation, reducing visibility and increasing the fire’s intensity. Authorities have classified the incident as a third-degree fire. Despite these challenges, firefighters remain on-site, working tirelessly to contain the blaze before it spreads beyond the industrial zone.
