At least three people were dead as fire broke out at Gul Plaza on M.A. Jinnah Road in Karachi, triggering a large-scale rescue operation, officials said on Saturday.
According to Fire Brigade authorities, the blaze erupted on the mezzanine/9th floor of the building and rapidly spread, engulfing the entire plaza.
Rescue efforts faced serious challenges due to thick smoke, which severely hampered evacuation and firefighting operations. Fire officials said trapped individuals were rescued using ladders, while emergency teams worked to clear the building.
Initially, three KMC fire tenders were dispatched to the site. The operation was later expanded, with eight fire tenders and one snorkel deployed to bring the blaze under control.
Fire Brigade officials confirmed that three people lost their lives, while nine others sustained burn injuries. The injured were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.
