A major fire broke out in the warehouse of a chemical factory in the New Karachi Industrial Area early on Sunday morning, fire officials told The News.

According to officials from the Central Fire Station (CFS) the fire broke out at about midnight and quickly spread to a nearby factory and timber market. Large swathes of the warehouse, the adjoining factory and timber market and a number of trucks loaded with goods were gutted as a result of the fire.

It took 10 fire tenders from the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation some 6 hours to bring the massive blaze under control.

Officials from the Karachi Electric Supply Corporation and Sui Southern Gas Company arrived shortly after the fire broke out to disconnect electricity and gas connections.

Police and other the law enforcement agencies (LEA) cordoned off the area and Edhi ambulances were also present.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.