Three floors gutted in Rimpa Plaza fire

A massive fire broke out on Tuesday afternoon in the multi-storey building, the Rimpa Plaza, located in the busy commercial area of MA Jinnah Road in Karachi. The fire quickly spread across multiple floors, engulfing a large portion of the building in a matter of minutes.

Thick black plumes of smoke were visible from miles away, making firefighting efforts difficult. Fire brigade vehicles, including those from the KMC and Rescue 1122, reached the scene immediately after the fire was reported. In addition to the local fire services, the Pakistan Navy also sent its fire tenders to assist in controlling the blaze.

A total of 10 fire tenders, two water bowsers, and one snorkel were involved in the operation. In addition to water, foam was also used to help control the blaze.

Rimpa Plaza consists of two sections, with the fire affecting one of them. The ground and mezzanine floors house commercial shops and parking areas, while the upper floors are home to various warehouses, most of which contain car spare parts and other plastic goods. Due to the nature of the materials stored, the fire spread rapidly, severely impacting the fourth and fifth floors.

Around 100 people were rescued from the building after the fire broke out. As of the latest reports, there have been no confirmed casualties, and the exact cause of the fire remains unknown.

During the firefighting operation, traffic on the road leading from MA Jinnah Road to Numaish Chowrangi was completely blocked, while the opposite lane was converted to

one-way to facilitate the movement of emergency vehicles. Firefighters had to break windows to access the building and apply water pressure and foam to control the fire. To prevent further damage, the building’s electricity was immediately shut off.

After four hours of efforts, the fire that was broke out at noon was finally brought under control. However, three floors of the building were gutted, and goods worth millions of rupees were reduced to ashes. The blaze initially started on the third floor and quickly intensified, spreading to the fourth and fifth floors. "The building houses shops and warehouses for vehicle parts and tires, all of which are highly flammable, intensifying the fire. Thankfully, no loss of life has been reported," said the Rescue 1122 spokesperson. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has taken notice of the incident and directed the authorities to submit a report, including its causes and the response efforts.