KARACHI, Feb 21 — Police on Friday arrested a builder in connection with a gas explosion that caused a residential building to collapse in Soldier Bazaar, killing 15 people and injuring 15 others.
Soldier Bazaar Station House Officer Rizwan Patel confirmed that police detained owner-cum-builder Mohammed Irshad after registering a first information report (FIR). Authorities said Irshad had rented out the building to the victims.
Police registered the FIR on the complaint of sub-inspector Khalid Mehmood under multiple sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, including culpable homicide, negligent conduct with respect to buildings and combustible material, and causing damage.
Explosion Triggered by Gas Leak During Sehr Preparation
According to the FIR, police received information early Thursday about the collapse in Gul Rana Colony. When officers reached the site, they found one portion of the ground-plus-three-storey structure completely destroyed. The building, spread over 40 square yards, had reportedly been constructed using heavy-duty steel channels and nylon sheets.
Investigators said Shahid Rasool lived on the first floor with his family. At around 3:30am, his wife lit a match to prepare Sehr. However, accumulated gas from a leakage ignited instantly, triggering a powerful explosion that brought down the entire structure.
Rescue teams recovered 15 bodies from the rubble and shifted 15 injured individuals to hospitals.
The FIR stated that the suspect constructed the building illegally around 2007-2008. Moreover, he allegedly installed gas connections through substandard pipelines in an unsafe and haphazard manner.
The Bomb Disposal Unit examined the site and concluded that faulty gas lines caused the leakage, which ultimately led to the fatal blast.
