Shahrah-e-Faisal
In a swift response, rescue officials successfully saved a group of individuals trapped in a burning car on Karachi’s Shahrah-e-Faisal on Friday. The timely intervention resulted in bringing the fire under control, and fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident, according to Sindh Rescue 1122.
The rescue team attributed the fire to a short circuit in the car’s electrical system. This incident serves as a reminder of the critical role played by emergency services in averting potential disasters and ensuring the safety of citizens.
The unfortunate event recalls a tragic incident in October 2023 when two brothers and their cousins lost their lives in a car fire on the Hazara Expressway’s Pano Dehri Interchange. The speeding car collided with a truck, igniting a fatal blaze. Such incidents underscore the importance of maintaining vehicle safety and adhering to traffic regulations to prevent accidents.
Additionally, Karachi has faced challenges related to fire safety in various contexts. A devastating fire in the Arshi shopping mall in Ayesha Manzil on December 7 resulted in casualties and extensive property damage. Moreover, recent revelations by Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab highlighted significant gaps in fire safety infrastructure across the city’s major corridors, including II Chandrigar Road, Sharea Faisal, and Shahrah-e-Quaideen.
Wahab disclosed that only six out of 266 buildings along these corridors had fire safety facilities, while more than 200 lacked fire extinguishers. The audit report further revealed alarming deficiencies, with 62% of the buildings lacking emergency exits, 70% having substandard electrical wiring, and only 90 possessing fire alarms and smoke detectors.
The findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive measures to enhance fire safety infrastructure in Karachi, ensuring the well-being of residents and preventing potential tragedies in the future. The authorities may consider implementing robust regulations and awareness campaigns to address these critical shortcomings and prioritize the safety of the city’s infrastructure.
