Fire at KU mass communication department doused

A fire broke out on Monday in Karachi University's Mass Communication Department, the alma mater of dozens of journalists across Pakistan.

Two fire tenders took part in the rescue operation and doused the blaze, which erupted in the department's audio-visual room at around 10am in the morning. Talking to Geo.tv, Mass Communication Department Chairperson Professor Dr Asmat Ara confirmed that an air conditioner in the audio-visual room caught fire when a class was being conducted there.

Talking to Geo.tv, Mass Communication Department Chairperson Professor Dr Asmat Aara confirmed that an air conditioner in the audio-visual room caught fire when a class was being conducted there.

The chairperson said that the students were evacuated immediately after the fire erupted. However, she noted that the strength of the students was comparatively less than normal. "The AC was completely burnt and later the fire spread into the room and damaged chairs and tables [as well]," she said.

Initially, Dr Ara added, the department’s staff made efforts to douse the fire, who were later joined by the university’s fire rescue and campus security personnel.

"The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation's (KMC) fire department was also called in which controlled the blaze," the official shared, adding that the KU’s electrical engineering department has surveyed the institute. Noting that "everything was under control", the chairperson said that morning and evening classes in the department will continue as per the timetable.