A major fire at a garment factory in Karachi’s SITE area was brought under control after a four-hour operation on Monday. Officials confirmed that no casualties were reported during the incident.
Chief Fire Officer Muhammad Humayun Khan stated that the blaze had been fully contained and cooling operations were still underway to eliminate any remaining hotspots. The fire broke out near Habib Bank Chowrangi in SITE Town around 11:20 pm.
According to the chief fire officer, the flames quickly spread to the second floor of the factory. Large quantities of plastic granules, plastic rolls, rubber, fibre and other materials stored there caused the fire to intensify rapidly. The factory also produced garments, mattresses and plastic granules used for making shopping bags.
Firefighters initially struggled because of the highly combustible materials inside the approximately 2,500-square-yard facility. A total of 12 fire tenders, one snorkel, three water bowsers and six water tankers were deployed at the scene. Foam was also used to help suppress the flames.
The Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation supplied uninterrupted water to the fire brigade. More than 150,000 gallons were provided from five government hydrants, including Crush Plant One and Two, Sakhi Hassan, Safoora and NIPA.
Personnel from the Pakistan Rangers and police assisted with the rescue operation and maintained security around the site. Humayun Khan said some people were inside the factory when the fire started but they evacuated immediately. No one remained inside during the firefighting effort.
The exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined and will be investigated once the cooling process is complete. After nearly four hours of continuous effort, officials confirmed the blaze was under control.
Karachi has seen repeated major factory fires in industrial areas in recent years, raising serious concerns about fire safety standards and emergency preparedness. In 2025 alone, more than 2,400 fire incidents were recorded across the city, while only 28 fire stations serve the entire population.
The successful containment of this blaze highlights both the challenges faced by emergency services and the importance of continuous preparedness in industrial zones.
